UN secretary-general tells summit that breakthrough needed in climate talks

UNITED NATIONS — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told an unprecedented summit on climate change Monday that "the time for doubt has passed" and a breakthrough is needed in global talks to sharply reduce emissions of global-warming gases.

"The U.N. climate process is the appropriate forum for negotiating global action," Ban told assembled presidents and premiers, an indirect warning against what some see as a U.S. effort to open a separate negotiating track.

The U.N. chief also addressed a chief U.S. objection to negotiated limits on greenhouse-gas emissions, that it will be too damaging to the American economy.

"Inaction now will prove the costliest action of all in the long term," Ban said.

From California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a champion of climate-saving legislation, the summit will hear that even an often-reluctant United States is beginning to pitch in.

"California is moving the United States beyond debate and doubt to action," he says in remarks prepared for the meeting's morning kickoff.

Rajendra Pachauri, the chief U.N. climate scientist who is also an opening speaker, says there's now "much greater evidence of human influence on climate change," and therefore "it's time for action."

The one-day meeting, with more than 150 nations participating, also was scheduled to hear from such international figures as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, and from Al Gore.

Ban organized the summit to build political momentum toward launching negotiations later this year for deep cutbacks in emissions of carbon dioxide and other manmade gases blamed for global warming.

President Bush, who has long opposed such negotiated limits on "greenhouse gases," was not participating in the day's meetings but was to attend a small dinner Monday evening, a gathering of key players hosted by Ban. Bush will host a two-day climate meeting in Washington this week.

Rather than accept treaty obligations, Bush has urged industry to cut emissions voluntarily, and emphasizes research on clean-energy technology as one answer. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, leading the U.S. delegation, will address a technology session at Monday's conference.