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Carbon a health threat, says US

News Clippings Ben Packham , Herald Sun, December 09 2009

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THE US has delivered a major confidence boost to Copenhagen climate negotiators, declaring carbon emissions a threat to human health.

The move will allow its Environment Protection Agency to order emissions cuts without Congress approval.

As delegates from 192 nations got down to business in the Danish capital, organisers were optimistic a workable deal would be struck.

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong flew out for the summit yesterday. But Australian climate sceptics are intent on trying to scuttle a deal.

Family First senator Steve Fielding, who will attend the conference next week, yesterday demanded the wording of a 15-page draft treaty.

``Australians deserve to see what’s happening, because it’s the lives of ordinary families living in the suburbs that will be affected by any global agreement,’’ he said.

Other prominent climate change deniers, Adelaide scientist Ian Plimer and Western Australia geologist Cliff Ollier, will also go to Copenhagen to argue against a deal to cut carbon emissions.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will attend the summit’s second week, as will US President Barack Obama. But developing nations hold the key.

China, India and Brazil were yesterday circulating a negotiating position insisting that under any agreement, they do their own carbon accounting—which will raise doubts the poorer nations will deliver on their commitments.

Meanwhile, the White House has dismissed the significance of the ``climategate’’ emails pounced upon by climate change sceptics.

``I think everybody is clear on the science,’’ White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

``I think that this notion that there is some debate . . . on the science is kind of silly.’’