United Nations Climate Change Conference kicks off today:

I anticipate that this conference will probably result in further CO2 being omitted into the atmosphere... mainly from the mouths of the governmental delegates from the 180+ countries represented.

Apparently, the aim of this two-weeks of negotiations is "not to deliver a fully negotiated and agreed climate deal, but are rather aimed at setting the necessary wheels in motion for a future climate change regime."

So, two-weeks in Bali with the intention to ... um ... agree to meet again. How about Cancun next? It's a tough job but someone's got to do it.

The big question for me is: Ministers, what is your political answer to what the scientific community is telling you so very clearly?
-- UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Yvo de Boer