BREAKING: Canadian Negotiator Dies from Heart Attack, Climate Talks Progress at “Deadly” Speed

Tragedy struck the United Nations climate negotiations in Durban today as Canadian negotiator Adam Mapleleaf collapsed amid heated discussions on a post-Kyoto agreement.

His passing will add to a growing number of climate-related deaths recorded worldwide, now estimated to have reached hundreds of thousands.

Mr Mapleleaf was rushed to hospital, but doctors were unable to revive him. It is believed intense shock provoked the incident, taking place just moments after an announcement by China and the US to pursue a global treaty on emissions reductions in eight years time.

Governments are calling for a moratorium on United Nations climate talks until the safety of negotiators can be guaranteed.

“By continuing these conferences, we are putting the lives of tens, potentially hundreds of people at risk,” said one official source.

“Progress is something UN participants just aren’t used to, especially to this extent. For the safety of future generations of representatives, discussions on climate change must be halted,” he said.

Climate displacement and resource scarcity have also become a concern at this year’s talks, with scores of high-profile delegates lining corridor floors around the convention centre. Many are left without stable access to desks and sources of power for their laptop computers.

Poor early-warning systems are being blamed for the scale of the disaster. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon acknowledges Mapleleaf’s death could have been prevented through appropriate investment in adaptation and mitigation measures for states involved.

“With most parties cynical about the ability of Durban to deliver any binding outcomes, this China-US development came as a complete shock to everyone,” the official source said.

Sadly the shock was too great for Mapleaf, a man who contributed to Canada being awarded the ‘Fossil of the Day’ award numerous times for its work in slowing negotiations.