Climate Change

"Almost 200 nations meet in Mexico beginning Monday to try to agree on modest steps to slow climate change, a U.N. gathering overshadowed by strains between the top two emitters, the United States and China."

"The global average temperature has increased over the past 160 years, but short-term trends in temperature and sea ice seem to be at odds with each other and need more research, the UK Met Office's Hadley Center said. In a report on long and short-term climate trends, the Hadley Center found several factors that indicate a warming world and said 2010 has been one of the warmest years on record."

"The world will seek to break a U.S.-China standoff and agree modest steps to rein in global warming at U.N. talks in Mexico next week amid worries that the first climate treaty since 1992 may still be years away."

"Japan opposes extending the Kyoto Protocol binding only rich nations to limit carbon emissions and will fight for a broader deal even if it finds itself isolated at U.N. talks, a senior official said on Thursday."

"Small island states want U.N. climate talks in Mexico next week to set an end-2011 deadline for agreeing a new treaty as a step to slow the rise in sea levels, a spokeswoman said."

Pledges made by nations at last year's Copenhagen climate talks do not go far enough the meet the stated goal of limiting global warming to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, a new report says.

"The author of a report critical of climate scientists defended himself against plagiarism charges Tuesday, and denied he was pressured by Republicans to tilt the report."

"Defeat came for Republican Rep. Bob Inglis because he slid to 'Satan's side.'"