U.N Chief Ban Ki-Moon calls for world leaders to redouble climate change effort

Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Secretary-General, has called on the world to redouble its efforts in the fight against climate change ahead of the annual UN climate talks in Durban, South Africa.

Speaking at the end of a visit to Australia and Pacific islands, Ban warned critics of climate change that time was running out to save the millions of people whose lives will be dramatically affected by rising sea levels.

"The facts are clear. Global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. Millions of people are suffering today from climate impacts. Climate change is very real," said Ban.

"Environmental migrants are starting to reshape the human geography of the planet. This will only increase as sea-levels rise and deserts advance. We cannot burn our way to the future," he said.

With the Kyoto Protocol expiring at the end of next year, hopes of a new resolution to mitigate climate change are dwindling. In Copenhagen 2009 it was hoped that an extension of the Kyoto Protocol would be agreed, but world leaders, including the at the time newly elected Barack Obama, failed to come to an agreement.

Leaders from 193 countries will descend on Durban in November for COP 17, where it is feared that richer developed countries will continue to disagree with poorer nations on how to share emission cuts. However, Ban remains optimistic that a landmark deal can be agreed, despite contrasting reports that opening rounds of the recent talks in Mexico made little if any progress.

Bans’ visit to the Pacific islands seems to have spurred his determination, having seen at first hand those most vulnerable, with the UN Secretary-General firmly believing that the ambitious target of limiting an increase in global temperatures to 2 degrees Centigrade is achievable.

"Moreover, given that the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol expires next year, a political formula must be found to ensure that a robust, post 2012 climate regime is agreed upon, and is not delayed by negotiating gamesmanship," stressed Ban.