'Bigger threat than terrorism': Barack Obama signals Australia, India and China must improve on climate change

By Mark Kenny and Lisa Cox
Updated September 25 2014 - 3:08am, first published 1:39am
US President Barack Obama speaks at the United Nations Climate Summit in New York. Obama said climate change would be the defining issue of the century. Photo: Timothy A. Clary
US President Barack Obama speaks at the United Nations Climate Summit in New York. Obama said climate change would be the defining issue of the century. Photo: Timothy A. Clary
Over 120 leaders attended the Climate Summit, however, Australian PM Tony Abbott was conspicuous by his absence. Photo: Don Emmert
Over 120 leaders attended the Climate Summit, however, Australian PM Tony Abbott was conspicuous by his absence. Photo: Don Emmert

NEW YORK: Barack Obama has signalled to developed economies such as Australia and emissions-heavy emerging giants such as India and China that they must lift their games on cutting pollution – declaring "nobody can stand on the sidelines anymore".

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