At the opening of the UN climate talks in Warsaw representatives of countries from around the globe packed into the conference hall to hear the lead climate negotiator for the Philippines, Yeb Sano, describe the "unthinkable, horrific and unprecedented devastation left in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan - the strongest typhoon in modern recorded history".

In an emotional appeal Yeb told of his agonizing wait for word from his relatives, his relief that his brother has survived the onslaught and the traumatic experiences his brother had lived through over the past few days "hungry and weary, he gathered bodies of the dead with his own hands."

It was by far the most moving speech I have heard in all the years I have followed the highs and lows of the climate change negotiations. With these poignant and powerful words, everyone in the huge conference hall, which is so often devoid of atmosphere, was brought face to face with the reality of what climate change means for some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable communities across the world; and yes tears were shed by many.