"GLASGOW, Scotland — A crucial U.N. climate summit opened Sunday amid papal appeals for prayers and activists’ demands for action, kicking off two weeks of intense diplomatic negotiations by almost 200 countries aimed at slowing intensifying global warming and adapting to the climate damage already underway.
As U.N. officials gaveled the climate summit to its formal opening in Glasgow, the heads of the world’s leading economies at the close of their own separate talks in Italy made pledges including stopping international financing of dirty-burning coal-fired power plants by next year. But much of the agreement was vague and not the major push some had been hoping for to give momentum to the climate summit.
Government leaders face two choices in Glasgow, Patricia Espinosa, head of the U.N. climate office, declared at the summit’s opening: They can sharply cut greenhouse gas emissions and help communities and countries survive what is becoming a hotter, harsher world, Espinosa said. “Or we accept that humanity faces a bleak future on this planet.”"
Frank Jordans and Ellen Knickmeyer report for the Associated Press October 30. 2021.
SEE ALSO:
"The COP26 Climate Talks Are Opening. Here’s What to Expect." (New York Times)
"At Climate Talks, Biden Will Try to Sell American Leadership to Skeptics" (New York Times)
"Biden Disappointed By Lack Of Climate Commitments From China, Russia" (The Hill)
"Prince Charles Says 'Future Of Humanity' At Stake Ahead Of Climate Summit" (The Hill)
"COP26 Takes On Climate Change At Perilous Time" (The Hill)
"Pope: May ‘Cry Of The Earth’ Be Heard at UN Climate Summit" (AP)
"New Framework Bolsters Biden's Hand As Climate Summit Begins" (AP)
"Greta Thunberg Urges Banks To Halt Funding For Climate 'Destruction'" (The Hill)
"Climate Politics Have Shifted, And That Gives Scientists And Activists Hope" (Washington Post)
Opinion: "Will Glasgow Be the Climate Breakthrough We Need?" (New York Times)
"These 4 Charts Explain Why The Stakes Are So High At The U.N. Climate Summit" (NPR)
"The Countries Left Behind In Climate Negotiations" (The Hill)
"G-20 Climate Agreement Leaves COP26 Talks Needing a Breakthrough" (Bloomberg Environment)
"COP26 Summit Starts Under Cloud After G-20 Dodges Hard Questions" (Bloomberg Environment)
