The next two weeks are perhaps the most important in the history of the planet. Representatives from close to 190 countries will sit down and discuss the ways to save a sinking ship. Climate change is real and if don’t act now, irreversible.
The world’s biggest polluter and ironically, strongest country has for the first time, made a conscious effort to look for a solution. The USA can and must take a proactive stance in arriving at a solution, a tangible and acceptable solution for all. Expectations have increased this year, because of the US’s willingness to take the lead, proving skeptics wrong. Many believe that the Copenhagen has lost the tooth necessary to produce results; it is time to disprove that. The role of the United States cannot be emphasized more. President Obama, must allow the compulsions of internal politics in the US to sideline his intentions at Copenhagen. Admittedly, that is hard. With the Health Care Bill being floated recently, Obama needs to play the game cautiously.
Another Country that must take the lead is China. Foe years it has refused to morally bind itself to the cause of Copenhagen. Its aggressive growth policies and economic agenda were at odds with the cause to save the planet. It is after all the second biggest polluter, and being from the side of developing nations, China must take this exercise seriously. The last thing, the millions of protestors across the world want, is for the talks in Copenhagen to be an exercise in vanity.
The road ahead is not the easiest. The expectations may only end up putting extra pressure. But more than ever before there has been a genuine concern shared by all across the world and this coming together of intentions must be celebrated. It’s not often that the intentions of so many across the world come together. Are the concerned listening? We want an action plan, that is viable for all.
