Our County, Our Climate, Our Choice 
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Copenhagen Climate Change Summit
 
Delegates from 192 nations have come together this week (commencing 7th December) to agree deals which will allow the world to reduce the most dangerous effects that climate change will pose to our livelihoods.  World leaders including Gordon Brown and Barack Obama are meeting from today to try and set a mutual target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by a certain date, and to ensure that there is enough money and funding in place to do this and to adapt to the changes in climate we are expected to see.
 
56 newspapers in 45 countries have today included the following line that many feel is key to success or failure come the conclusion of the summit: "At the deal's heart must be a settlement between the rich world and the developing world.  Poorer countries are the ones most likely to feel the worst effects of climate change should a deal not be reached." 
 
The three main discussion areas are as follows:
 
  • Targets to curb greenhouse gas emissions, in particular by developed countries,
  • Financial support for mitigation of and adaptation to climate change by developing countries and
  • A carbon trading scheme aimed at ending the destruction of the world's forests by 2030.
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    The summit lasts until the 18th December, after which it is hoped that binding targets will be in place.  Keep track of the summit by visiting the following web pages:
     
    The official Copenhagen Summit website 'COP15'

    BBC Copenhagen news article

    Guardian COP15 website

    The Guardian's guide to COP15