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U.N. Chief Clears Air At Summit

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By CHARLES J. HANLEY, The Associated Press

Published: September 25, 2007

UNITED NATIONS - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told an unprecedented summit on climate change Monday that 'the time for doubt has passed' and a breakthrough is needed in global talks to sharply reduce emissions of global-warming gases.

'The U.N. climate process is the appropriate forum for negotiating global action,' Ban told assembled presidents and premiers, an apparent caution against what some see as a U.S. effort to open a separate negotiating track.

The U.N. chief also addressed a chief U.S. objection to negotiated limits on greenhouse-gas emissions, that it will be too damaging to the U.S. economy.

'Inaction now will prove the costliest action of all in the long term,' Ban said.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in another summit-opening speech, told the international delegates U.S. states are taking action.

While the Bush administration has resisted emissions caps, California's Republican governor and Democratic-led Legislature have approved a law requiring the state's industries to reduce greenhouse gases by an estimated 25 percent by 2020. Other U.S. states, in various ways, are moving to follow California's lead.

'California is moving the United States beyond debate and doubt to action,' Schwarzenegger said. 'What we are doing is changing the dynamic.'

The one-day meeting, with more than 80 national leaders among about 150 participants, also was scheduled to hear from Al Gore, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other international figures.

Ban organized the summit to build political momentum toward launching negotiations this year for deep cutbacks in emissions of carbon dioxide and other manmade gases blamed for global warming.

President Bush, who has long opposed such negotiated limits on 'greenhouse gases,' wasn't participating in the day's meetings.

Rather than accept treaty obligations, Bush has urged industry to cut emissions voluntarily.

On Thursday and Friday, Bush will host his own two-day climate meeting, limited to 16 'major emitter' countries. It's the first in a series of U.S.-sponsored climate gatherings.

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