Nairobi welcomes the big boys:

Yes. The UN Climate Conference in Nairobi really gets into full swing today with the arrival of the World's environmental ministers for the snappily titled Dialogue on long-term cooperative action to address climate change by enhancing implementation of the Convention - or Workshop 2. This is when things will really start to not happen.

In theory, one of the main purposes of this conference was to discuss ways of reducing the emission targets proposed in the Kyoto agreement even further - which would be excellent. However, according to the BBC:

...delegates have failed even to agree a timetable for the completion of discussions on cuts beyond the existing Kyoto Protocol targets

Optimism is not running high.

Climate change is not just an environmental issue, as too many people still believe. It is an all-encompassing threat.
Kofi Annan

In the opening address to the delegates, the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan drew attention to the lack of progress - noting that Kyoto was a start but was not enough. Although not specifically mentioning any countries, when asked about the US, he said "I think it would be preferable if they signed the Kyoto agreement."

Tackling climate change is not a matter of choice, it is an imperative that must be addressed if we are to ensure the continued survival of life on our planet.
Kenyan President, Mwai Kibaki