Climate talks to begin in Bali

BALI, Indonesia (AP) -- World heads started arriving Sunday for what is expected to be lengthy and contentious negotiations on how best to combat global warming.

Higher global temperatures have the potential to cause devastating sea level rises, send millions further into poverty and cause mass extinction of animals.

Governments will attempt to jump-start talks during the December 3-14 meeting on how to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

They also will consider whether cuts in carbon emissions should be mandatory or voluntary, how to reduce deforestation and ways to help poor countries, which are expected to be hit hardest by severe droughts, floods and violent storms brought on by rising temperatures.

The spotlight of the conference is likely to fall on the emerging economies of India and China, both heavy emitters of the greenhouse gases believed to be a cause of global warming.

Coal-burning power plants belch pollutants into the air in China, contributing to global warming that experts say has destroyed billions of dollars in crops.

In India, melting Himalayan glaciers cause floods, while raising a more daunting long-term prospect: the drying up of life-sustaining rivers.

The two economic giants are becoming increasingly aware of the effects of rising temperatures.

But though they are among the biggest contributors to the problem, both say they will not sign any climate change treaty that would slow the pace of their development.

Meanwhile, the United States, which has pumped more carbon into the atmosphere over time than any other country, says it will continue to oppose mandatory reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, especially if China and India refuse to budge. E-mail to a friend

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.