World can reach climate change deal in 2009 - UN

[cal04]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04565665.htm

The world can reach a significant new climate change pact by the end of 2009 if current talks keep up their momentum, the head of the United Nations climate panel said on Sunday.

The United Nations began negotiations on a sweeping new pact in March after governments agreed last year to work out a treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol by the end of next year.

"If this momentum continues you will get an agreement that is not too full of compromises," said Rajendra Pachauri, head of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, during a seminar at the Asian Development Bank annual meeting in Madrid.

(snip)
Key to a new agreement is Asia, notably China, said Odin Knudsen, a managing director for JP Morgan & Chase.

[kristopher]

1. Key to a new agreement... is a new Democratic Congress and President in US. NT

[jojo54]

2. At least we can hope that the next prez won't say

"Uh, uh, but buy more oil. That'll help the environment."