But the United States balked at a proposal to formally “welcome” the finding, setting off a dispute that, while semantic in nature, carried ominous portents that the United States could become an obstacle to progress in Katowice. An environmental activist protests fossil fuel production Monday in front of the venue hosting the U.N. climate change summit in Katowice, Poland. Three years later, the idea of the United States as a leader at the international climate talks has evaporated. “The U.S. delegation is comprised of seasoned climate change negotiators. Scientists say that a rapid migration away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy is essential in the quest to prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change.

Source: Washington Post December 10, 2018 23:08 UTC