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global climate talks start in montreal

advance: monday 28 november 2005

Montreal (Canada) -- Crucial talks on future action to tackle climate change begin in Montreal on Monday 28th November as the urgent need for action becomes more apparent.

Friends of the Earth International urged negotiators to remember that people’s lives and livelihoods are at stake.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is set to be the largest inter-governmental climate conference since the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 with some 8,000–10,000 participants expected to attend.

Crucially the agenda will look at the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol – with the current commitment phase coming to an end in 2012.

Friends of the Earth International Climate Campaigner Catherine Pearce said:
“The Montreal talks are crucial for achieving international action on tackling climate change. Extreme weather events, drought and rising sea levels threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of people around the world. Negotiators must remember this as they enter these talks.
“Countries taking part must push forward for urgent action and develop a process which will allow developing countries such as China and India to come on board. These talks must move forwards, not backwards. We do not have the time or the need to begin this process all over again.”

Friends of the Earth is bringing messages from around the world to the Montreal UN Climate Change Conference and these will be on display, in the form of a giant mosaic, outside the conference centre as the talks begin.

for more information
Catherine Pearce, Friends of the Earth International Climate Campaigner (in Montreal from 23/11/05 – 10/12/05). Canadian mobile + 1 347 992 2505
Helen Burley, Friends of the Earth Media Officer (in Montreal from 27/11/05 – 10/12/05). Canadian mobile +1 201 954 5317