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COP26 Delegates Push for 1.5 Degree Celsius Limit to Warming; Tuvalu's Foreign Minister Record Remarks to COP26 in Knee-Deep Seawater; Poland Raises State of Alert at Belarusian Border; High- Level Diplomatic Talks Aim to Head Off More Fighting in Ethiopia. Aired 4:30-5a ET
Aired November 09, 2021 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:30:00]
ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: The COP26 climate meetings will focus on gender equality and science and innovation today. Delegates are also hoping to finish up rules for implementing the Paris agreement by the end of the conference. Many countries want to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in order to avoid catastrophic climate change.
On Monday, former U.S. President Barack Obama told the conference the world is know where near where it needs to be in fighting the climate crisis.
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BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There are times where I feel discouraged. There are times where the future seems somewhat bleak. There are times where I am doubtful that humanity can get its act together before it's too late. We can't afford helplessness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: Some tough words there from Barack Obama. And CNN's Phil Black joins us now live from Glasgow in Scotland. Good to see you, Phil. So, what progress has been made so far and what are expectations for today?
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Rosemary, some of the key issues that are being thrashed out in these final days relate to language and action surrounding that goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius, limiting global warming by that amount, by the end of the century. On the language in the Paris agreement, it originally set a target of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees, preferably closer to 1.5 degrees. But says then, we have seen a lot of science that strongly suggests we need to limit that threshold to 1.5, because beyond that things deteriorate very quickly. The impacts become very severe.
So, there is a push to try and spell that out, to make that clear, to strengthen that language in the final, in the final documents that will be agreed here. We have heard from observers that there is some pushback to that from fossil fuel-producing companies. Just how far they are prepared to push on that, we will get a sense of, as I say, in these final days.
Now, on the action there is a really strong feeling that countries need to accelerate their willingness to cut emissions deep and hard this decade because the science suggests very strongly that's necessary. It says we need to cut emissions by around 50 percent by 2030 in order to have any chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Forecasts suggest we are on track to increase emissions this decade based upon the existing pledges. So, a long way off target. So, that's why it's important that the final language spell out the need to accelerate. But also, the practicalities of just how that will be done, how it will be reviewed, and watched. Because under the Paris agreement, the reviews take place every five years. Every five years countries come back and say this is what we are now prepared to do in order to try and reach these global goals.
There is very strongly a view that we can't afford to wait another five years.
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We have to come back much sooner and review these targets with great frequency, perhaps every two years, maybe even every one year. And only in doing so is there the chance that the urgency and the action can be ramped up to ensure that the goals remain viable.
All of this is very technical and we are often just talking about words. But the point is that in order for the world to have any chance of keeping to that 1.5-degree target, these words in the final documents that will be agreed here in the coming days are absolutely crucial -- Rosemary.
CHURCH: Yes, so true. Phil Black joining us live from Glasgow, Scotland. Many thanks.
Well now we want to show you some incredible images of Tuvalu's foreign minister delivering a speech to the COP26 summit knee deep in seawater. Wearing a suit and tie, he made it clear just how vulnerable his low-lying Pacific island is to rising sea levels and global warming. Tuvalu is situated midway between Hawaii and Australia, and here's part of his recorded message.
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SIMON KOFE, TUVALUAN FOREIGN MINISTER: In Tuvalu we are living the reality of climate change, sea level rise. As you stand watching me today at COP26, we cannot wait for speeches when the sea is rising around us all the time. Climate mobility must come to the forefront. We must take bold alternative action today to secure tomorrow.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(END VIDEO CLIP) CHURCH: And I interviewed the foreign minister just a short time ago and asked him why he took such drastic measures to highlight his island's plight, and here's what he told me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KOFE: Where I was standing and taking my statement, that used to be land many, many years ago. And behind me you'll see a concrete slab. That concrete slab is actually the foundation of a World War II gun that was built by the U.S. military in 1942, I think it was. And that was actually on land. So, if you look into the video, it's now 20, 30e meters in the ocean, in the sea. So, the impacts of climate change and sea level rises is something that is a reality for us in Tuvalu. And we wanted to convey that message people. Although we are facing that challenge now, one day it will be other parts of the world as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: And our thanks to the foreign minister of Tuvalu there.
Well, on the door step of Europe, Poland is raising its state of alert as a dangerous confrontation unfolds along the border with Belarus. Thousands of migrants are trying to breach the barbed wire dividing the two countries to make it into the European Union. And the Polish Prime Minister says the escalating crisis could put the security of the entire EU at risk.
The Polish government and some European leaders accuse Belarus of deliberately driving migrants to the border in retaliation for EU sanctions. And our Fred Pleitgen is tracking developments from neighboring Germany near the Polish border. He joins us now live. Good to see you, Fred. So, what's the response been in Germany to the intensifying situation?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Rosemary. I'm really right on the German/Polish border. Poland is actually right that way. And essentially what the Germans are doing, because so many of the people who are coming across, their ultimate goal is to come to Germany.
So, they're stepping up checks at the border. You can see that there's one truck is being checked right now. Obviously, what the border police here is telling us, is they say that they are coming across more and more people who are coming across the border here to Germany and they say almost all of the people that they are encounter who want to claim asylum here in Germany have come to the European Union via Belarus.
Now of course, all this as that massive standoff is going on there at the border between Poland and Belarus. But the Polish government now says they believe that between 3 and 4,000 people mostly from the Middle East are now camped out at that border. And really the big escalation in that standoff that's been going on which the European Union calls hybrid warfare against the EU by Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian strong man, is the fact that now there was a very large group at the same time tried to push through that border. That, of course, happened yesterday. There was some very dramatic
images of that going on. Some people trying to cut through that barbed wire. There was some drone footage that happened as well.
The Polish Prime Minister was actually at that border this morning, and he said that Poland was doing all of this in its national interest, trying to prevent people from coming through, but also of course, to protect the borders of the European Union.
But this certainly seems like something, Rosemary, a standoff that is not going to go away any time soon. As a lot of the folks who are there are camped out there, and the European Union accuses Alexander Lukashenko of what they call state-sponsored human trafficking.
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They say that the Belarusian regime is luring people from Middle Eastern countries to Belarus, and essentially telling them they can cross into the European Union. Of course, that is not true. From what we are hearing from the Polish government, they say that they are going to stand firm because they believe, they say, that Alexander Lukashenko is trying to blackmail them -- Rosemary.
CHURCH: All right. Many thanks to our Fred Pleitgen bringing us up to date on the situation there. Appreciate it.
Well, as the situation at the Belarusian border escalates, another potential flash point led to a rare phone conversation. The Kremlin confirms, CIA director Bill Burns had a call last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The call was reportedly intended to convey growing U.S. concerns over Russia's military buildup on the border with Ukraine. Some inside the Biden administration are said to be worried Russia could be preparing for an invasion or simply trying to intimidate Kyiv.
Well, we are tracking a major development in the Biden administration's fight against ransomware. The Justice Department says it seized $6 million in ransom payments from a major cyberattack that targeted nearly 1,500 businesses around the world.
The DOJ also filed charges against a Ukrainian man accused of raking in millions from the ransomware attacks, including a crippling one during the July 4th holiday. A second man, a Russian national, is charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.
With the year-old conflict escalating, disturbing reports of targeted arrests in Ethiopia's capital, we'll have the details just ahead.
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CHURCH: Nicaragua's president and his wife, the vice president, taking part in the celebration after securing another term in office.
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Sunday's election, though, has drawn sharp criticism from the international community after Daniel Ortega cracked down on his political rivals ahead of the vote. The U.S. joined other nations in condemning the election it called undemocratic and threatened actions including sanctions to promote accountability.
An African Union envoy says a plan to ease the crisis in Ethiopia could be reached by the end of the week. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo briefed the U.N. Monday. Meantime, Ethiopia's Human Rights Commission says police in Addis Ababa appear to be arresting people based on ethnicity. Witnesses say Tigrayan's are being targeted. Salma Abdelaziz is in London. She joins us now live with the latest. Good to see you, Salma. So, what more are you learning about the situation?
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: Well, Rosemary, let's start with that diplomatic activity. Because there is a worry of activity here to try to really de-escalate tensions in Ethiopia as quickly as possible. You mentioned the African Union envoy who's been there since Thursday, visiting multiple cities. Yesterday he was in Tigray capital city. He'll be visiting more cities in the north.
And what Obasanjo told the United Nations is that there is a small, a small window of opportunity here to bring down the temperature, to try to de-escalate these tensions. Because, again, the African Union envoy saying that both sides -- both Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy and the Tigray rebels -- recognize that their conflict is a political one and that there can be a political solution.
But what's happening on the ground? Well, just last night Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy gave another speech to government officials, to his supporters, to the military and he again appeared defiant, digging his heels in, saying that he would be able to defeat these rebels, push them back. No indication there, again, of any direct talks. All of this is happening through diplomatic channels.
And of course, on the side of the Tigray rebels, also digging their heels in, threatening to attack the capital if no political resolution is found between these two parties. And you have to remember, Rosemary, all sides here are accused of horrific human rights violations.
That's why you heard the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations say -- and I'm paraphrasing here -- there are no good guys in this conflict. There are only victims.
This is a conflict that's played out for a year. 2 million people have been displaced. Thousands of people have been killed, and now we are in the most dangerous and risky chapter yet. Because the fear here is over Addis Ababa. The capital being caught up in that violence. That's a highly dense residential area. What would that mean? The United Nations says the risk of this turning into an all-out civil war right now is very high -- Rosemary.
All right, Salma Abdelaziz bringing the very latest from London. Many thanks.
The NBA champs visit the White House, but a future NFL hall of famer is still in the doghouse. State Farm responds to the Aaron Rodgers vaccine controversy. That's ahead.
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[04:50:00]
CHURCH: It was a sweet homecoming for four astronauts from the SpaceX crew Dragon capsule. The cortex splashed down off the Florida coast Monday night after spending six months at the International Space Station. Welcome home.
Well, for first time in five years the reigning NBA champions have visited the White House. President Joe Biden welcomed the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday paying tribute to their unity, respect and teamwork. He praised the group for taking a stand by boycotting a playoff game in 2020 after the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. And the president thanked the Bucks for encouraging their fans to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Well, State Farm insurance is standing by spokesman Aaron Rodgers despite his misleading comments about his vaccine status. The company says it doesn't support some of the statements he made, but it respects his right to have his own personal point of view. The Green Bay Packers quarterback said back in August that he was immunized against COVID. But he was never actually vaccinated, and recently tested positive for the virus.
Well, the calendar still says autumn here in the northern hemisphere, but winter weather is on the way to the U.S. West Coast. Heavy mountain snow and strong winds are forecast from California to Washington. CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri has more -- Pedram.
PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good Tuesday morning, Rosemary. The activity across the Western U.S. continues here. One system after another, powerful winds at times, wind gusts along the coast of Oregon could get close to hurricane force there. About 70 plus miles per hour, while across the interior portion tropical storm force winds possible at 65 plus miles per hour in some of these regions. And again, you get multiple rounds of wet weather across the area.
Get up into the Olympics, get up into the Cascades, above say 3,500 feet and you'll begin to run into some significant snowfall. And in total over the next five days, how about upwards of 18 inches of snowfall possible across parts of the Pacific Northwest.
Coastal Oregon maybe as much as 6 inches of rainfall in store for you. So, the activity stays in place. And then look at the surge of warmth in Portland, Oregon. The southerly flow, temps climb up into the 60s, the overnight lows into the upper 50s. Very little variance between nighttime and daytime, which is pretty impressive for this time of year.
Now colder air is on the horizon across the Northern Plains of the U.S. It has been as mild as it gets. Chicago flirting with 60 degrees the next couple of days but notice what happens come Friday. The bottom drops out and we get not only one shot of colder air late this week, we get a second reinforcing shot potentially easily going to be the coldest of the season. Notice what happens in Atlanta. Near 80 degrees over the next several days. And then the front comes in, rain ensues. And then by Friday, Saturday and Sunday, overnight lows close to the freezing mark as we approach this time next week. Big changes in store for the next seven days -- Rosie.
CHURCH: Thank you so much, Pedram, appreciate it.
Well, Wall Street had another record setting day Monday.
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The three major indices closed with new highs for a second session in a row as investors cheered good employment news and the passage of that infrastructure bill. The Dow gained .3 percent, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closed up .1 percent.
Well, Tesla's stock was not part of those gains. It fell nearly 5 percent after chief executive Elon Musk took a Twitter poll on whether he should sell 10 percent of his stock in the electric auto maker. More than 3 1/2 million votes came in with nearly 58 percent saying he should sell. Musk is facing a multi-billion-dollar tax bill and is likely to sell no matter how the poll turned out. The tweet raises questions about whether Musk is complying with a Securities and Exchange Commission order that his tweets about the company be vetted by a lawyer.
And just in case you thought pizza was just for eating, a pizza maker in the Netherlands is turning his slices into skateboards. He basically takes a piece of pizza, treats it and seals it with epoxy, pours it into a mold and lets it sit a few days. Add some wheels, then presto, pizza you can ride. As he says, he uses left overs that would be tossed in the trash otherwise, so it is sustainable, too.
If watching from outside the U.S., join us tomorrow for the first ever call to Earth Day. CNN is partnering with schools, individuals and organizations around the world to raise awareness of environmental issues. It will be a day of action dedicated to conservation, environmentalism and sustainability. Follow us online and on TV and follow the #CallToEarth on social media.
Thank you so much for your company. I'm Rosemary Church. Be sure to connect with me on Twitter any time at @rosemaryCNN. We'd love to hear from you. "EARLY START" is up next. You're watching CNN. Have yourselves a fabulous day.
