Local and international activists march inside a conference center under a giant statue of a spider to demand urgent action to address climate change at the U.N. climate talks in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. A dispute over money clouded U.N. climate talks Friday, as rich and poor countries sparred over funds meant to help the developing world cover the rising costs of mitigating global warming and adapting to it. (AP Photo/Osama Faisal)
After climate talks, eyes on US for next round
Local and international activists march inside a conference center under a giant statue of a spider to demand urgent action to address climate change at the U.N. climate talks in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. A dispute over money clouded U.N. climate talks Friday, as rich and poor countries sparred over funds meant to help the developing world cover the rising costs of mitigating global warming and adapting to it. (AP Photo/Osama Faisal)
By KARL RITTER
Associated Press /
December 9, 2012
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‘‘I think in general donor countries with some exceptions were not in a position to put hard numbers on table for all sorts of reasons among them fiscal challenges that we are facing in the U.S. and Europe is facing,’’ said Stern, the U.S. climate envoy.
In news conferences in Doha, the U.S. delegates stressed what the administration has already done: increased fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks, worked to boost energy efficiency in buildings and invested in green energy.
Wael Hmaidan, a Lebanese activist and director of the Climate Action Network, said he was disappointed that the U.S. didn’t offer more in Doha, especially on financing for poor countries.
‘‘We were hoping there would be some kind of movement after the election,’’ he said. ‘‘We knew there wouldn’t be any major change but we hoped there would be more flexibility and room and this was not demonstrated.’’
Some may have overestimated how quickly Obama’s comments on climate change would translate into action, said Jake Schmidt, of the Natural Resource Defense Council.
‘‘Things take time to settle in the U.S.,’’ he said. ‘‘But I think there’s a growing sense that climate change is real, extreme weather is happening in the U.S. It shows up in all the polls.’’
Schmidt said the administration could achieve further emissions cuts with new standards on existing coal-fired power plants.
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AP Environment Writer Michael Casey contributed to this report.
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Ritter can be reached at www.twitter.com/karl_ritter and Casey can be reached at www.twitter.com/mcasey1
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