Climate Talks Abate as G-77 Charges U.S., Others of 'Forsaking' Kyoto

Discussions at the Copenhagen climate summit were temporarily suspended Monday, following charges from the G-77, a group of developing nations, that industrialized nations are deserting the Kyoto Protocol that is currently in place, according to the Washington Post.

The G-77 is opposed to altering the Kyoto Protocol so that it would no longer exempt developing countries from binding cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and would cater toward industrialized nations, the Post reported, adding: "The G-77 countries are pushing back against that approach, saying such a pact could pose less stringent requirements on industrialized countries than Kyoto does, and would not deliver the global emissions cuts they seek."

Some African nations have expressed grave concern at the prospect of the end of the Kyoto Protocol. A member of Mali's delegation, Mama Konate, was quoted by the Post as saying: "The killing of the Kyoto Protocol, I can say, will mean the killing of Africa. Before accepting that, we should all die first."

A delegate from Nigeria used similar rhetoric, saying Africa is "on death row," according to the newspaper. Oxfam America's Climate Change director, David Waskow, said that "the current standoff could help determine what happens at the talks this week," as President Obama and a number of other world leaders arrive in Copenhagen, the Post reported.