ARCHIVE

Thousands of Afrikans fed up with a lack of international action on the climate change crisis marched, sang, and danced today outside the UN climate talks at COP 17 in Durban today. Negotiators from 192 countries are struggling at the summit to come to agreements on how to lower global greenhouse gas emissions and help the most vulnerable countries of the world adapt to runaway climate change that is already occurring. Greenpeace International’s Executive Director Kumi Naidoo lashed out at the United States, until recently the world’s top polluter (the honor now goes to China), for refusing to ever ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the only legally binding instrument to cut carbon emissions. “Those who are not interested in saving lives, economies, and environments, like the US, must now stand aside and let those with the political will move forward” Naidoo said. The UN Climate Talks in Durban continue this week with activists and NGOs hoping for action on securing a second commitment of the Kyoto Protocol and creating a Green Climate Fund to aid poor countries adapt to climate change.