Critical Climate Talks Begin in Copenhagen

"COPENHAGEN – The largest and most important U.N. climate change conference in history opened Monday, with organizers warning diplomats from 192 nations that this could be the best, last chance for a deal to protect the world from calamitous global warming.

The two-week conference, the climax of two years of contentious negotiations, convened in an upbeat mood after a series of promises by rich and emerging economies to curb their greenhouse gases, but with major issues yet to be resolved.

Conference president Connie Hedegaard said the key to an agreement is finding a way to raise and channel public and private financing to poor countries for years to come to help them fight the effects of climate change.

Hedegaard — Denmark's former climate minister — said if governments miss their chance at the Copenhagen summit, a better opportunity may never come."

Arthur Max reports for the Associated Press December 7, 2009

See Also:

"Obama Surprises With Copenhagen Summit Decision" (Reuters)

"As Climate Meeting Starts, a Revival of Skepticism " (New York Times)

"Rich Countries Urged to Provide Financing for Poor Ones" (Green Inc./NY Times)

"Copenhagen Summit Urged To Take Climate Change Action" (BBC News)

"UN Climate Science Head Hopes for More US Action" (AP)

"Talks Start Minus a Key Player" (The Daily Climate)

"Copenhagen's Low-Carbon Formula: Add Wind Turbines, Subtract Hamburgers" (ClimateWire/NY Times)

"Ed Miliband: Climate Change Deniers Are 'Profoundly Irresponsible'" (UK Guardian)

"India Pledges to Reduce Carbon Intensity" (ENS)

"Five Keys to Copenhagen" (Politico)

"Copenhagen Draws 110 Leaders to Act on Climate, Rasmussen Says " (Bloomberg)

"UN's Chief Scientist Slams 'Climategate'" (Politico)

"Who Wants What in Copenhagen" (Wall St. Journal)

"Copenhagen climate conference opens to dire warnings" (AFP)