Today's toughie: If America is going broke while giving away billions to poor countries for education, roads and HIV-AIDS clinics, is it a great idea for those countries to respond by suing us because their bad weather is allegedly our fault?

Nations: Island states mull risks and benefits of suing big emitters -- 11/16/2012 -- www.eenews.net

Tiny islands are getting some big-league help in their quest to haul major emitters into international court over global warming. But they're fearful the United States and China might punish them by cutting off foreign aid.

Germany, Ireland and Switzerland have vowed support for the Republic of Palau, which is leading a coalition of vulnerable nations in a landmark campaign to make climate change a matter of international law. The backing of wealthy European nations brings support for a resolution before the U.N. General Assembly to 33 countries and is considered a major boost to the case.

Behind the scenes, though, diplomats and attorneys say leaders of climate-vulnerable nations are putting on the brakes, terrified of jeopardizing billions in aid for education, roads, HIV-AIDS clinics and other projects if they pursue litigation.