In the nearly a decade since the U.S. rejected the landmark climate change agreement known as the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. has become accustomed to being attacked at U.N. environmental gatherings. But the pounding it took in the tortured all-night negotiations that capped the UN climate change conference in Bali was unprecedented. Not only did developing nations big and small from India to Papua New Guinea openly chastise the U.S. for its last-minute refusal to endorse the new agreement dubbed the Bali Roadmap, but - with the exception of a confused statement from Japan - not one of the allies that had generally stood with the U.S. the past two weeks - Australia, Russia, Canada - rose in its defense. In the end, the U.S.’s total isolation was too much for even it to bear. ‘We’ve listened very closely to many of our colleagues here during these two weeks, but especially to what has been said in this hall today,’ said lead American negotiator Paula Dobiansky. ‘We will go forward and join consensus.’ Boos turned to cheers, and the deal was essentially sealed. Here’s a breakdown of what it means, who won and who lost: WHAT WAS ACHIEVED […]