Typhoon Haiyan overshadows UN climate talks

WARSAW (AP):

The devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan cast a gloom over United Nations (UN) climate talks yesterday as the envoy from the Philippines broke down in tears and announced he would fast until a "meaningful outcome is in sight".

Yeb Sano's emotional appeal was met with a standing ovation at the start of two-week talks in Warsaw where more than 190 countries will try to lay the groundwork for a new pact to fight global warming.

UN climate chief Christiana Figureres also made reference to the "devastating impact" of the typhoon in her opening speech and urged delegates to "go that extra mile" in their negotiations.

Scientists say single weather events cannot conclusively be linked to global warming. Also, the link between man-made warming and hurricane activity is unclear, though rising sea levels are expected to make low-lying nations more vulnerable to storm surges.

extreme weather

Nevertheless, extreme weather such as hurricanes often prompt calls for urgency at the UN talks. Last, year Hurricane Sandy's assault on the US east coast and Typhoon Bopha's impact on the Philippines were mentioned as examples of disasters the world could see more of unless the world reins in the greenhouse gas emissions that scientists say are warming the planet.