G-8 climate talks divide rich and poor countries

L'AQUILA, Italy - The chasm between rich and poor on how to address climate change burst into the open at the G-8 summit Thursday, showing how difficult it will be to persuade the world to make lifestyle and economic sacrifices needed to save the planet from global warming.

President Barack Obama urged emerging economies to do more to curb global warming, while the U.N. chief demanded developed countries set an example and take more concrete steps to reduce pollution.

Especially reluctant to commit to change were two budding powers that are just now getting comfortable economically: India and China.

Obama said industrialized countries, the United States included, had a "historic responsibility" to take the lead in emissions reduction efforts because they have a larger carbon footprint than developing nations.

"And I know that in the past, the United States has sometimes fallen short of meeting our responsibilities. So, let me be clear: Those days are over," he said.

But he said developing nations have to do their part, as well.

"With most of the growth in projected emissions coming from these countries, their active participation is a prerequisite for a solution," Obama said.