As diplomats from over 190 countries gathered in Copenhagen for the start of the UN climate change conference today, 56 newspapers from around the world put political, social and language differences aside to publish a joint editorial calling for action from world leaders.

“Climate change has been caused over centuries, has consequences that will endure for all time and our prospects of taming it will be determined in the next 14 days,” the editorial asserts, in 20 different languages. “We call on the representatives of the 192 countries gathered in Copenhagen not to hesitate, not to fall into dispute, not to blame each other but to seize opportunity from the greatest modern failure of politics.”

The editorial, which was published in 45 countries, criticised the US, saying that the world is “at the mercy” of US politics. However, it says that a deal can and must be negotiated in these next two weeks, and that it must be firmed up by the UN climate meeting in Bonn in June 2010. It cites one negotiator who said: “We can go into extra time but we can't afford a replay.”

Man-made climate change, and the opportunity leaders have now to do something about it, is described in the article as a significant historical moment, perhaps the 21st century’s equivalent of the Great War.

Following a weekend where over 50,000 people demonstrated in London alone for action in Copenhagen, the editorial gives this heartfelt warning to leaders: “The politicians in Copenhagen have the power to shape history’s judgment on this generation: one that saw a challenge and rose to it, or one so stupid that we saw calamity coming but did nothing to avert it. We implore them to make the right choice.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/06/copenhagen-editorial
http://en.cop15.dk/