World leaders missed the best chance they are ever likely to get to stop global warming escalating out of control as the Copenhagen climate conference fizzled to a close. They agreed in principle to keep the heating of the planet beneath 2C – the point at which scientists warn the planet has a chance of avoiding “dangerous” climate change – but failed to agree measures to achieve this.
Hopes of a worthwhile deal foundered largely on the inability of the world’s two biggest polluters – China and the United States – to reach agreement after a speech by President Obama angered Chinese premier Wen Jiabow.
President Barack Obama managed to secure an agreement with China, India, Brazil and South Africa after marathon negotiations.But it's the lack of substance to the non-binding political accord which has infuriated environmentalists and emboldened critics in the US who consider the notion of man-made global warming as a "Hollywood hoax".White House officials have conceded the deal reached by the president is a modest achievement, but they insist it is an achievement nonetheless.
Part of the Dream Weave Walk Network 1998-2010
