Mexican President Felipe Calderon said Sunday the climate change talks in Cancun should bring an end to what he called a "false dichotomy," the perception that the economy and climate change mitigation are in conflict.

"Poor nations believe they can combat neither poverty nor climate change, rich nations believe they can either keep growing or combat climate change, but I believe that is a false dichotomy," Calderon told the opening session of Green Solutions, a business fair being held in parallel with the UN climate change conference.

The conference, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 10 in Cancun, a Mexican resort on the Caribbean coast, aims to find solutions to global climate change.

Achieving economic growth and combating climate change "is not only possible but also good business. That is why we are hosting this forum," Calderon said.

He cited Mexico's tortilla makers as an example of how governments could intervene for lower greenhouse gas emissions and better business.

"Many tortilla makers had old tortilla machines and we are financing the purchase of new ones," he said. "We also finance the purchase of solar water heaters to reduce the heat."

"We are able to kill three birds with one stone -- reduce prices for customers, raise profits for tortilla makers and cut carbon dioxide emissions."

Calderon also called on world leaders and business chiefs to seek creative solutions that can create a virtuous cycle.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2010)