Africa: Provide climate change funds or we won't talk

African nations meeting in Ethiopia have indicated that if they don't get the $30 billion (U.S.), they won't take part in future talks on reducing climate change. I.e., if the developed nations responsible for most of the emissions causing the current climate trends don't pony up what they promised, Africa won't help the talks get to the binding agreement stage.

"Meles [Zenawi, Africa's top climate negotiator] said the meeting of representatives of the Conference of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, was clear that the issue of financing for the effects of climate change to Africa was critical for future success.

They said Africa was ready to access the funds through the African Development Bank (AfDB) to mitigate the effects of climate change.

These include lower yields from agriculture and increased disease-burden due environmental challenges associated with climate change."

Africa demands billions in clean-up bill or 'no future climate talks'

I think this a good tactic. Utilizing clichés, talk is cheap. The rich nations of the world need to put their money where their collective mouths are. Put up or shut up.