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Damon Winter/New York Times

Earlier this week the Copenhagen talks looked like  they might derail as developed and less-developed countries started hurling accusations at each other. Fortunately constructive dialog is now occurring on the topic of deforestation. The sight of a forest that has been levelled, such as the aerial photo (right),  is enough for anyone to stop in their tracks and grieve for what used to be. December 15 New York Times Reports:

COPENHAGEN — Negotiators have all but completed a sweeping deal that would compensate countries for preserving forests, and in some cases, other natural landscapes like peat soils, swamps and fields that play a crucial role in curbing climate change.

Environmental groups have long advocated such a compensation program because forests are efficient absorbers of carbon dioxide, the primary heat-trapping gas linked to global warming. Rain forest destruction, which releases the carbon dioxide stored in trees, is estimated to account for 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions globally.

The agreement for the program, if signed as expected, may turn out to be the most significant achievement to come out of the Copenhagen climate talks, providing a system through which countries can be paid for conserving disappearing natural assets based on their contribution to reducing emissions.

Complete article: http://tinyurl.com/ybwqdeh

 

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