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Copenhagen: Is a deal on the cards?
COP 15: Is a deal on the cards?
The Copenhagen climate conference kicks off over the weekend and while there won't be many (if any) New Zealand scientists attending, the New Zealand media will be well-represented (six journalists will be on the ground covering it) and the conference has high-level political buy-in with the Prime Minister John Key opting to attend.
What makes Copenhagen so important? It could well determine the shape of a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which was implemented in 1997 and was aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This time around, scientists have a much clearer view of the impact we are having on the planet and what could potentially happen if we don't move to reduce emissions. But ultimately, whether a legally-binding agreement is reached at Copenhagen or in the near future will depend on the extent to which the rich countries are willing to pay to help the developing world meet the cost of reducing their emissions.
The SMC will be offering daily round-ups of science-related news from Copenhagen to those journalists on our science and environment distribution lists, in conjunction with our friends at the Australian Science Media Centre who will be based in Copenhagen throughout the conference.
You'll also see some extensive analysis of developments at Copenhagen on www.Sciblogs.co.nz
ENDS
Science Media Centre NZ
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
The Science Media Centre is New Zealand's only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.
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