"The smoldering international battle over the future of the Kyoto Protocol is a 'legitimately difficult' issue -- but not one that should overshadow the practical work of fighting climate change, U.S. Climate Envoy Todd Stern said yesterday.

In an interview with ClimateWire yesterday, Stern said the U.S. goal is to keep nations focused on bringing to life agreements made in Cancun, Mexico, last year to create a Green Climate Fund, develop technology centers and establish guidelines for tracking countries' carbon-slashing commitments.

"We could be looking at something really good in a few years if we keep our nose to the grindstone," Stern said, outlining a vision of a functioning fund protecting countries from weather-related climate impacts and hubs spurring clean technology development in poor countries within the next two years."

Lisa Friedman reports for ClimateWire April 22, 2011. [2]