"Environmentalists and other nations say U.S. policy changes raise questions about whether it is committed to substantially cutting emissions and aiding developing nations in their efforts to do so."
"When an energized U.S. delegation arrived in Copenhagen for world climate talks two years ago, environmentalists were encouraged by its willingness to tackle global warming.
In the months before Copenhagen, the House of Representatives had passed climate change legislation, and the new Obama administration had crafted an agreement with the auto industry to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the main contributor to global warming.
But now, halfway through a two-week round of climate talks in Durban, South Africa, that excitement has disappeared. Weakened by reversals in Congress and the ailing economy as a presidential election looms, the U.S. delegation has staked out a position that has confused and frustrated environmentalists and other nations."
Neela Banerjee reports for the Los Angeles Times December 4, 2011.
SEE ALSO:
"Ex-UN Climate Chief To AP: Talks Are Rudderless" (AP)
"Coal-Reliant Poland Says Apt To lead EU at Durban" (Reuters)
"Canada 'Fiddles While Planet Burns', Says Councillor David Cadman at Durban Climate Talks " (Vancouver Observer)
"Japan Says Renewing Kyoto Pledges Is Not Enough" (Reuters)
"China Signals Coming Shift in Measuring CO2 Limits" (AP)
"Finance Questions Raised in Draft U.N. Climate Paper" (Reuters)
"African Countries Press Developed World To Come To Climate Deal" (Toronto Globe and Mail)
"Disdain in Durban" (Johanesburg Mail & Guardian)
"Once Again, It’S All Talk and No Action at Climate Change Meet" (Kenya Daily Nation)
"AP Interview: Top UN Official Confident Rich Nations Will Renew Kyoto Protocol’S CO2 Pledges" (AP)
"Factbox: The Green Climate Fund" (Reuters)
"UN Climate Talks See 'Delayer Countries' Throw Away the 2C Goal" (Guardian)
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