Today's Climate: December 14, 2009

Africa Protest Suspends Main Sessions of Climate Talks (Reuters)

The main sessions of Copenhagen climate talks were temporarily suspended today amid a protest led by African nations accusing rich countries of trying to wreck the existing Kyoto Protocol.

China Signals Shift on Climate Funds (Financial Times)

China’s senior negotiator suggest the Chinese have abandoned a demand for funding from the developed world to combat climate change, the first apparent concession by a major player at Copenhagen. He Yafei said financing should be directed to poorer countries.

US Proposes $350M Global Energy Efficiency Project (Washington Post)

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu is to announce today a $350 million international plan to deploy clean technology in developing countries, including everything from solar lanterns in poor households to advanced energy-efficient appliances.

ADB Chief Says Climate Finance Insufficient (Reuters)

The head of the Asian Development Bank says if governments fail to reach a climate deal in Copenhagen, it could lead to a collapse of the carbon market which would hit efforts to deal with climate change.

Pentagon, CIA Consider Climate Change a Security Threat (NPR)

China lashed out at the U.N. office in charge of approving carbon credits after it rejected 10 Chinese wind farm projects earlier this month and accused China of fudging the numbers to make them eligible for international subsidies.

Oil Companies Bet Oil Era Is Far from Over (Financial Times)

While delegates in Copenhagen are trying to hash out an deal to reduce carbon, oil companies in Baghdad over the past two days have swiftly agreed to several huge contracts that will extend the hydrocarbon age for decades to come.

Climate Negotiators Eye the Other Greenhouse Gases (Los Angeles Times)

While the U.S. focuses on CO2, some nations are pushing for measures to curb black carbon, HFCs and methane, which they say will be easier to achieve and will show quick results.

Quebec, Ontario Take Aim at Ottawa on Climate Change (Globe and Mail)

In Denmark for the United Nations climate convention, Quebec Premier Jean Charest condemned the federal government for the potential economic consequences of its anemic fight against climate change.

Key Behind-the-Scenes Role for Rudd In Copenhagen (New York Times)

Fresh from failing — twice — to pass his widely contested plan to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd headed to Copenhagen today hoping to succeed internationally.

In Bolivia, Water and Ice Tell of Climate Change (New York Times)

Glaciers that have long provided water and electricity to parts of Bolivia are melting away, victims of global warming, scientists say. The impact on people's lives there is devastating.