UN Climate Change: Pics of the Day

The presence of Susan Rice and the absence of Condi Rice at this year’s General Assembly meeting speaks volumes about the shift in style and the decrease in hysteria in conducting U.S. diplomacy.

Hell, fire and brimstone not withstanding, the global powers are moving pretty slowly.

As the Telegraph reported, Hu Jintao was the first Chinese President to address the UN General Assembly in 40 years. And though his speech didn’t deliver on anticipated emission targets, there is a growing acknowledgment this week that China is surpassing the U.S. in taking on an international leadership role, as least as far as climate change is concerned. This image captures the buzz as Hu, his people all around him — expresses enjoyment in his front row seat during this Kodak moment.

(image 1: Jim Watson/Getty Images. image 2: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters. image 3:Rick Gershon/Getty Images. United Nations in New York, NY, September 22, 2009)