Civil society is calling on governments to act decisively. Credit: Davison Makanga/IPS

By Mantoe Phakathi

CANCÚN, Dec 9, 2010 (IPS/TerraViva) – A reminder of the weakness of the status quo as climate talks in Mexico build towards  their conclusion: even if all parties were to honour the pledges made in the Copenhagen Accord, emissions reductions would fall badly short of what is needed to avert catastrophic global warming. Continue Reading

Climate-driven changes in the water cycle will affect large regions of the world. Credit: Friedrich Böhringer/creative commons license

By Stephen Leahy

CANCÚN, Dec 8, 2010 (IPS/TerraViva) – As the world heats up, continents are drying up, with severe droughts forecast in the future. But negotiators at the climate summit here seem to have forgotten about water in their endless discussions over forests, carbon trading and finances. Continue Reading

Protesters in the streets of Cancun

December 6

Delegates in Cancun say they hope global climate talks will get back on track in Mexico. Rosebell Kagumire reports that negotiators have been asked to put women at the heart of any new strategy.

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Pakistan's Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi speaks to an IPS reporter in Cancún. Credit: Keya Acharya/TerraViva

By Keya Acharya

CANCÚN, Mexico, Dec 7, 2010 (IPS/TerraViva) – On the sidelines of the ministerial deliberations at Cancún underway Tuesday, a panel of scientists, climate policy experts and politicians outlined the devastating impacts of the recent floods in northwest Pakistan that destroyed 18 million homes, affecting 20 million people and costing the country five percent of its GDP. Continue Reading

Protestors insisted on protection of the interests of indigenous people and peasant farmers. Credit: Mantoe Phakathi/IPS

By Mantoe Phakathi

CANCÚN, Dec 6, 2010 (IPS/TerraViva) – As ministers arrived for the second week of climate change negotiations in the Mexican resort city of Cancún, an estimated two thousand marchers took to the streets to oppose what they called a capitalist outcome of deliberations.

“We’re seeing a green capitalism here in Cancún, where rich countries are calling for solutions aimed at violating the rights of not only the environment but also of grassroots groups,” said Mary Lon Malig, from peasant farmers’ organisation La Via Campesina. Continue Reading

Marcha de La Vía Campesina en Cancún. Crédito: Mantoe Phakathi/IPS

Por Diana Cariboni *

CANCÚN, México, 6 dic (IPS/TerraViva) - Lo que para algunos es un avance modesto pero firme en la negociación sobre cambio climático, que ingresa en su segunda semana en la ciudad mexicana de Cancún, para otros no es más que humo o “falsas soluciones”. Continue Reading

A cloud forest in Costa Rica. Credit: Germán Miranda/IPS

By Keya Acharya

CANCÚN, Dec 4, 2010 (IPS/TerraViva) – Forest rights advocates and indigenous community organisations from India are adding their voices to what promises to become the newest division in the climate talks here: the inclusion of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation + in developing countries, or REDD+, as an agreement. Continue Reading

Christiana Figueres, secretaria ejecutiva de ña Convención de Cambio Climático. Crédito: CMNUCC

Por Emilio Godoy *

CANCÚN, 3 dic (IPS/TerraViva) – Al término de la primera semana de negociaciones en la cumbre del clima, que se desarrolla en este centro turístico mexicano, se ve lejana la posibilidad de que las casi 200 delegaciones nacionales presentes acuerden la renovación del Protocolo de Kyoto, que expira en 2012. Continue Reading

Mayan pyramid of criticism of polluting countries in Cancunmesse. / Credit:Diana Cariboni/IPS

CANCÚN, Mexico, Dec 3, 2010 “The hurricane season officially ended on Nov. 30,” a local shopkeeper told this journalist reassuringly as she entered his store with her hair blown in every direction by the wind on a drizzly, cloudy day. Continue Reading

Una pirámide maya de críticas a los países contaminadores en el Cancunmesse. Crédito: Diana Cariboni/IPS

Por Diana Cariboni *

CANCÚN, 2 dic (IPS/TerraViva) – “El 30 de noviembre se terminó oficialmente la temporada de huracanes”, dijo tranquilizador un comerciante de Cancún a esta periodista que entraba a su tienda con el pelo arremolinado por el viento en una jornada con lloviznas y nubarrones. Continue Reading