Meanwhile, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a new report warning global warming is destroying species, raising sea levels, and threatening millions of poor people. The United Nations’ top scientific panel says firm action is needed to avoid more catastrophic events. The report is the first published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change since it won the Nobel Peace Prize along with Al Gore.

IPCC Chairman Rajendra Pachauri: “We are assessing science in a totally objective and neutral manner. We are not making any policy prescriptions. It’s not the work of the IPCC to do so. But what we have brought out, I believe, is an extremely policy-relevant document. If this does not provide the basis for those who are responsible for forming policies all over the world on a strong scientific basis, then I’m afraid I can’t think of anything more appropriate or apt than what we have produced.”

In two weeks, the world’s energy ministers will meet in Bali, Indonesia, to begin talks on creating a global climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.