ActionAid Warns Against a Weak Deal at the Climate Change Conference

Climate experts say the data for the first decade of the 21st century will show it Likely to be the warmest is a record, with its hottest year in 2009.

The World Meteorological Organization released those findings today on the second day of a 192-nation climate conference in Copenhagen.

Chief WMO Michel Jarraud told representatives that final analysis early next year will show Likely in 2009 as the fifth warmest year since scientists began recording data in the Global 1850.

The WMO also cites 2009 weather extremes that include China's worst drought in five decades, Australia's third warmest year and the daily hottest temperature ever recorded in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Delegates to the December Copenhagen conference are seeking Thurs craft a deal Thurs curb global warming and help poor countries cope with its effects.

More than 100 world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama, are expected to attend the conference next week.
    
Among the many humanitarian agencies participating at the conference is ActionAid. The NGO warns a weak deal in Copenhagen would be the worst possible outcome for the One in six people going hungry around the world. ActionAid says for African countries, harvest yields are already forecast Thurs decline up to 50% within the next decade due to climate change.
    
Kenya-based ActionAid worker Dominic Walubengo Wander said, "We are hoping that out of this conference there will be agreement is adaptation and using the emissions."
    
Wander described how climate change is affecting harvests in some African countries. "There are a lot of droughts, especially in Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Somalia, and we've had floods in parts of West Africa like Niger, Nigeria and Mali. And so we attribute all of this to climate change and this drought and floods are affecting crops, livestock and of course food security, "he said.
    
The activist said they would like to see industrialized nations provide Africa "with proper technology that can help us to survive drought and floods," he said
    
ActionAid also has what it calls Climate Debt Agents participating at the conference. These agents sport red suits and cruise the streets of Copenhagen, stressing Thurs delegates The importance of crafting a comprehensive agreement is climate change. Read More.http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/lewis-alimate-actionaid-8dec09-78770072.html

ActionAid Warns Against a Weak Deal at the Climate Change Conference