UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on the world to come together and agree on a new climate treaty by 2009, with detailed greenhouse gas cuts to be determined after UN talks in Bali. Despite disagreements between the United States, the European Union, and some developing nations, Ban emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement to begin negotiations on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. He warned that climate change is a pressing moral challenge, urging immediate action to address its impacts such as rising seas, floods, droughts, famines, and wildlife extinctions. Ban stressed the urgency of the situation and encouraged ministers to set aside differences and move forward with negotiations for a new global treaty to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Opposition from Washington has hindered discussions on specific targets for emissions reductions, but Ban emphasized the need to consider scientific evidence calling for significant cuts by 2020. Ban said that in practical terms, negotiations will need to take place in the future, with the goal of reaching an international agreement within two years. He emphasized the importance of respecting the U.N. climate panel's recommendation of a 25-40 percent reduction in order to prevent the most severe effects of climate change. Ban also suggested the need for a clear roadmap with a tight timeline to secure a climate deal by 2009, with the United Nations aiming to adopt a new pact at a meeting in Copenhagen in late 2009. The United States, with the support of Japan, Canada, and Australia, argues that even mentioning a 25-to-40 percent range could impact the outcome of negotiations. Paula Dobriansky, US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, emphasized the importance of not pre-determining the results of the process. On the other hand, the European Union believes that wealthy nations must lead by example in order to persuade developing countries like China and India to reduce their emissions from burning fossil fuels. German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel stressed the need for a clear starting point and goal in order to make significant progress. Ban urged all countries, including the United States, to be flexible and adapt to the threat of global warming. He mentioned that there is a positive aspect to the situation as creative solutions could lead to job creation and alleviation of poverty in developing nations across Africa and Asia. Australia's new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, recently ratified the Kyoto Protocol, leaving the United States as the only wealthy nation not bound by caps on greenhouse gas emissions until 2012. Rudd, who won a significant election victory, emphasized that Australia is already experiencing the effects of climate change, such as rivers drying up and disruptions to the Great Barrier Reef. He warned that the current situation is a preview of what's to come. The negotiations are scheduled to conclude by Friday or early Saturday, and traditionally, annual U.N. climate meetings involve tough bargaining and sessions that last all night. The United Nations is aiming to reach an agreement by the end of 2009 in order to allow parliaments three years to ratify it and provide guidance for billions of dollars in investments in various forms of energy production. The ratification process for the Kyoto Protocol, which came into force in 2005 after eight years, was delayed in 2001 when the United States decided not to sign on. Failing to reach an agreement in Bali to begin talks would decrease the likelihood of a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. With the exception of Australia, 36 Kyoto nations have pledged to reduce emissions by an average of 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. The United States contends that the Kyoto agreement would negatively impact its economy and unfairly does not include targets for major developing countries for the years 2008-2012.