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Germany and Mexico co-sponsor informal climate change talks
Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany, gave the opening remarks at a climate change conference hosted jointly by Mexico and Germany. The chancellor said that countries must realise how much needs to be done to achieve the 2-degree goal. During her speech, she urged nations to amp up efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
President Felipe Calderon of Mexico seconded Ms. Merkel’s sentiments, calling on the world to take the threat of climate change more seriously. The talks were hosted by both countries and aimed to lay groundwork ahead of this year’s UN climate change conference scheduled in Cancun, Mexico.
According to Merkel, scientists have said that temperatures across the globe can only rise two degrees Celsius. However, research indicates that if things remain stagnate temperatures will rise three to four degrees. Germany has been present at the forefront of international climate issues, and fostered the idea of a mid-term meeting prior to climate talks in Cancun in December.
The next UN climate change conference, scheduled for December 2010, is hoped to be more successful than the widely criticised talks in Copenhagen last December. Both Mexico and Germany invited leaders from 45 countries to the informal meet in Petersberg. The three-day talks, said Calderon, were aimed at building trust and promoting progress before the Cancun conference.
Both Calderon and Merkel spoke out at the recent talks saying that deforestation would be an area for progress at the next UN talks. President Calderon said that saving forests would save money for local residents and help combat poverty.
Source : recycle.com