"UN Climate Talks in Crisis: Nations and Environmental Groups Slam Proposals as Too Weak"
The United Nations climate talks in Belem, Brazil have hit a snag, with several nations and environmental groups slamming proposals as too weak. The proposals, which were meant to be the final draft of the talks, failed to explicitly mention the cause of global warming - the burning of fuels such as oil, gas, and coal.
The criticism came from countries like Tuvalu, Palau, Marshall Islands, and Vanuatu, who expressed their disappointment at the lack of a clear road map for phasing out fossil fuels. The 36 nations that objected to the proposals included wealthy ones like the UK, France, and Germany, as well as smaller climate-vulnerable islands.
Panama's top negotiator, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, described the situation as "a clown show" and warned that the talks were on the verge of collapse. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also pushed for stronger direction and a more detailed road map for phasing out fossil fuels.
The mutirao decision, one of the key proposals, acknowledges that the transition to low greenhouse gas emissions is irreversible and that the Paris Agreement is working, but it doesn't provide a clear plan for implementing this change. Environmental groups like Greenpeace have expressed disappointment at the lack of progress on fossil fuel reduction.
"This expectation is shared by a vast majority of parties, as well as by science and by the people who are watching our work closely," said one objecting nation. "We cannot support an outcome that does not include a road map for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels."
The talks are now expected to sprawl into the weekend, with many delegates expressing frustration at the lack of progress. The Associated Press reports that the presidency is open to compromise and further discussion, but it's unclear whether this will be enough to salvage the talks.
As the world watches, the environmental community is growing increasingly impatient. "Hopes were raised by initial proposals for road maps both to end deforestation and fossil fuels, but these road maps have disappeared," said Greenpeace climate policy expert Tracy Carty. "We're again lost without a map to 1.5°C and fumbling our way in the dark while time is running out."
The situation highlights the challenges of negotiating global agreements on climate change, where powerful nations with competing interests are often at odds over the need for radical action. As the world teeters on the edge of catastrophic climate change, it remains to be seen whether the UN talks can deliver a meaningful outcome that will prevent this catastrophe.
The United Nations climate talks in Belem, Brazil have hit a snag, with several nations and environmental groups slamming proposals as too weak. The proposals, which were meant to be the final draft of the talks, failed to explicitly mention the cause of global warming - the burning of fuels such as oil, gas, and coal.
The criticism came from countries like Tuvalu, Palau, Marshall Islands, and Vanuatu, who expressed their disappointment at the lack of a clear road map for phasing out fossil fuels. The 36 nations that objected to the proposals included wealthy ones like the UK, France, and Germany, as well as smaller climate-vulnerable islands.
Panama's top negotiator, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, described the situation as "a clown show" and warned that the talks were on the verge of collapse. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also pushed for stronger direction and a more detailed road map for phasing out fossil fuels.
The mutirao decision, one of the key proposals, acknowledges that the transition to low greenhouse gas emissions is irreversible and that the Paris Agreement is working, but it doesn't provide a clear plan for implementing this change. Environmental groups like Greenpeace have expressed disappointment at the lack of progress on fossil fuel reduction.
"This expectation is shared by a vast majority of parties, as well as by science and by the people who are watching our work closely," said one objecting nation. "We cannot support an outcome that does not include a road map for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels."
The talks are now expected to sprawl into the weekend, with many delegates expressing frustration at the lack of progress. The Associated Press reports that the presidency is open to compromise and further discussion, but it's unclear whether this will be enough to salvage the talks.
As the world watches, the environmental community is growing increasingly impatient. "Hopes were raised by initial proposals for road maps both to end deforestation and fossil fuels, but these road maps have disappeared," said Greenpeace climate policy expert Tracy Carty. "We're again lost without a map to 1.5°C and fumbling our way in the dark while time is running out."
The situation highlights the challenges of negotiating global agreements on climate change, where powerful nations with competing interests are often at odds over the need for radical action. As the world teeters on the edge of catastrophic climate change, it remains to be seen whether the UN talks can deliver a meaningful outcome that will prevent this catastrophe.
. I get why countries like Tuvalu and Palau are pushing for stronger action against fossil fuels - it's about their very existence, you know? But at the same time, I think we have to acknowledge that phasing out fossil fuels is a massive undertaking and needs some planning. I mean, just because some countries don't want to commit to specific timelines doesn't mean they're not committed to reducing emissions.
. But it's gonna take a lot of compromise and cooperation from all sides. And let's not forget, time is running out - we need to get our act together ASAP! 
i mean i no everyone's got their own priorities & interests but come on, Tuvalu, Palau, Marshall Islands & Vanuatu are literally DYING over here because of our addiction to fossil fuels. can't we just agree on phasing them out already? 
the fact that the talks are still on the verge of collapse is like, a wake-up call for all of us. and let's be real, science has been telling us this stuff for ages but no one's listening... the only way to move forward is to take drastic action ASAP 
. It's like we're all stuck in neutral and can't move forward until someone takes the wheel 
.
these proposals are SO weak and it's clear that some nations don't wanna take responsibility for their carbon footprint. 
i mean, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands are literally talking about sinking if we don't do something, and yet the UK is objecting to stronger plans?! 
the whole point of these un climate talks is to come up with a solid plan to save the planet but it seems like nobody wants to talk about the obvious culprit - fossil fuels 
they're just sweeping it under the rug and hoping everyone else wont notice 
its not like there are only a few countries that would benefit from getting rid of them, every single one of us would be better off without oil gas and coal 
i mean come on how hard can it be to agree on phasing those things out ASAP?! 
so what's new right? Nations and enviro groups are still mad about the lack of clear action plans for tackling climate change... like, come on guys, we all knew this was gonna be a struggle from the start