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Road to Copenhagen: In Quotes

road to copenhagen.jpgParties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are all set to descend on Copenhagen to wrangle over the details of a new global climate deal — a potential successor to the Kyoto Protocol. See Nature’s Road to Copenhagen special for more coverage.

“I am sure that in Copenhagen we will not get the agreement of our dreams, not the agreement I dream of or Angela Merkel dreams of, but I am sure that we will take an important step forward.”

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel see progress, but not perfection, coming out of the conference (Reuters).

“I would rather it not happen if people accept that as being the right track because it’s a disaster track.”

James Hansen says failure at Copenhagen would be the best option, as it would force politicians to start again from scratch (Guardian).

“A carbon price sends business a price signal to invest in clean stuff not dirty stuff. It doesn’t involve micromanaging business, which regulations do. It doesn’t impose a burden on taxpayers, or require governments to pick winners, which subsidies do. It is, according to an American study, twice as efficient as any other policy.”

The Economist magazine, perhaps unsurprisingly, says economics should triumph at Copenhagen and a carbon price should be set.

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