Wrangling. Futile. Gathering gloom. Discord. More talks about talks. Unresolved disputes. Divide. Struggle. Feuding. Theatre of the absurd. Increasingly alarmed.
The world's media has been plumbing the depths of the thesaurus to report on the growing despondence in and around the UN climate talks in Doha, testing the limits of their vocabulary as the world's leaders test the planet's patience.
The excruciating talks are another chapter in the unfolding tragedy of our time: failure to take action against climate change. It's a slow, inexorable march towards catastrophic global warming that is almost too painful to bear.
World leaders can still change the course of history if they want, but time is running out. Fast.
And neither China, the United States, the European Union nor India, the world's top greenhouse gas emitters, have announced plans to limit emissions at Doha.
Instead, we've heard stories of "bickering" over "sluggish" efforts to tackle climate change and "bad blood" around some of the "thorniest issues" such as the payment of climate finance.
Described as a "clash" by the Associated Press that threatens the talks, the world's poorest nations were demanding rich countries provide details of a promised surge in climate finance to $100 billion a year by 2020.
And on extension into 2013 of the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol, the only legally binding pact for curbing greenhouse gas emissions, talks remained "deadlocked," Reuters reported heading into the final day. BBC later added the talks were "lurching" to a close.
This is absurdity, even if we do get a compromise deal out of Doha. We're on a runaway speed train. How many missed stations does our climate change express need to rush past before skidding off the rails? It's time to act, not argue.
This year, 2012, will be remembered as a year of drought, floods, heatwaves, a record melt of Arctic sea ice and catastrophic storms such as Hurricane Sandy.
And yet delegates from almost 200 countries have been trying to hammer out "modest" goals. No agreements have been made on curbing emissions.
Three years since the landmark Copenhagen talks in 2009 ended in failure, the world has reached a "make-or-break" point, but French newspaper Le Monde referred to "a missing heart" at the Doha talks.
More positive, the Washington Post argues that "the road to a climate change deal goes through Doha" because even small-scale agreements can build trust.
But much of the coverage has been negative, reflecting the divide. India is alleged to be "back sliding" on commitments. Activists "accuse" Arab states, the U.S. defends its climate action pledges. And the clock just keeps ticking.
The U.N. Environment Programme has already warned we risk overshooting a target to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius and are on target instead for a rise in temperatures of between 3 and 5 degrees. This would mean more floods, droughts and rising sea levels threatening coastal cities.
And then in the middle of the talks in Doha, typhoon Bopha struck the Philippines, killing hundreds of people and making thousands homeless.
Media grabbed at the emotional outcry of the Philippines negotiator at Doha, who broke down in tears and urged the world's leaders to open their eyes "to the stark reality that we face."
It prompted the Guardian newspaper to ask whether those tears could "change our course on climate change?" It's a good question. Will this be the Doha metaphor the world embraces? Or will the wrangling become our epitaph?
The world's politicians now need to prove they can see that reality. It's time for them to act.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.