The world’s most powerful nations have failed to advance a measure that would bring the issue of climate change before the United Nations Security Council. The effort was stalled Wednesday after Russia and China insisted that climate is outside the Security Council’s mandate. The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, criticized their stance.

Susan Rice: “We have dozens of countries in this body and in this very room whose very existence is threatened. They have asked this Council to demonstrate our understanding that their security is profoundly threatened. Instead, because of the refusal of a few to accept our responsibility, this Council is saying, by its silence, in effect, tough luck. This is more than disappointing. It’s pathetic, it’s short-sighted, and frankly, it’s a dereliction of duty.”