Countdown to Copenhagen 2009

As governments are preparing for the upcoming world conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which will start on December 7, 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark, lots of people are looking forward to and have high expectations of this event.

In New York City, Oxfam's Human Countdown: Climate Wake Up Call kicks off the NYC Climate Change week. Check out the schedule and participate in events to increase awareness about the urgency of smart climate change policy, and importance of the US commitment.

Another NYC-based group, Sustainability Practice Network, held a panel on the issues and challenges facing this meeting. Pai Gee-Janssens, member of the New York Corporate Social Responsibility Meetup, offers a thorough overview of the event plus a brief history of climate change talks on Alternative Energy IP In spite the existent hurdles in reaching an effective global consensus in fighting climate change, it is the anticipated participation and commitment of the US that feeds the biggest hope.

There is a high level of hope from the world at large, that the new U.S. government administration, circa 2009, will propel the potential of the UNFCCC to the next necessary levels and inspire all countries worldwide to proactively participate with fewer conditions and objections for the sake of humanity and all inhabitant of our only collective home.

The materialization of this hope - US Congress passing the climate bill - is threatened by the recession and other competing domestic issues, such as the health care reform. That's why it's important to raise awareness among both the politicians and public at large. The distance between hope and gloom is very short - merely 2 degrees Celsius.