"The European Union and small island states criticized the United States on Tuesday for backing away from a U.N. goal of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 F)."

"They urged almost 200 governments to stick to the target, one of the few agreed goals in international climate policy, even though U.S. climate envoy Todd Stern said it was unworkable.

'World leaders pledged in Copenhagen to stay below the 2C temperature increase. What leaders promised must now be delivered,' European Commission spokesman Isaac Valero-Ladron said of a 2009 climate summit in the Danish capital.

The United States and other nations have agreed to the goal that rises in average world temperatures should be kept below 2C above pre-industrial times to avoid dangerous changes such as heatwaves, floods, droughts and sea level rise."

Barbara Lewis reports for Reuters August 8, 2012. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"US Climate Envoy Pooh-Poohs 2 Degree Goal" (Mother Jones) [3]

"U.S. Affirms Support For U.N. Climate Goal After Criticism" (Reuters) [4]

"US Criticised On 2C Climate 'Flexibility' Call" (BBC News) [5]