Climate Reps at Odds Over Deforestation

Rich countries balk at paying poorer nations to stop hacking trees
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 8, 2007 5:37 PM CST
Climate Reps at Odds Over Deforestation
Demonstrators chant under an effigy of the United states during a demonstration Saturday Dec. 8, 2007 in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Bali's capital to call for wealthy nations to be fairer to undeveloped countries in negotiating carbon emissions cuts. (AP Photo/Ed...   (Associated Press)

The triumph of the Bali summit may be its plan to stop deforestation, but rich and poor nations are still clashing over details, the Washington Post reports. A dozen developing countries want incentives to stop tree-cutting, but some developed nations wince at paying them for actions not taken. "The problems tend to start when you get down to the small print," said a UN official.

A rep from Brazil said developing nations like India and China deserve special treatment because their energy needs are more dire; a US official countered that "a post-2012 framework will simply not be effective if developing countries" think richer nations must carry the burden. Stakes are high, as enough trees to fill New York state are cut every year, leaving another 20% of greenhouse gases unabsorbed. (More global warming stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X