A lot has happened in the world of clean energy and climate policy since I left the Iowa Global Warming Campaign in August. The most promising comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation is currently stalled in the US Senate. While politicians in DC waver, representatives of every country in the world are meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark to develop a new international treaty to stop climate change. The meeting in Copenhagen is the 15the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, commonly referred to as COP15.

The Copenhagen talks are an important, yet frustrating event for all involved. Rich and poor nations, developed and undeveloped, big and small emitters, oil importers and oil exporters, all must come to an agreement for greenhouse gas emissions reduction on a global scale. Industrialized nations like those in Europe, the United States, Japan, Australia, Russia and others emit the most pollution and control most of the wealth. Rapidly industrializing countries like China, Brazil, India, and Indonesia want the industrialized world to cut emissions while they continue to develop without a firm commitment to reduce emissions. And then there are the poor countries like Bangladesh, Tuvalu, Maldives, Ethiopia and others that are negotiating for their survival. The costs of climate change and the transition to low-pollution economies are not equally shared, and each country’s wants something different out of the bargain.

The youth of the world are united in calling for a strong, binding agreement that protects all nations from the ravages of climate change. Youth stand in solidarity with the countries calling for aggressive emissions reductions and a quick transition to a clean energy economy. The countries calling for the most scientifically appropriate provisions are those that could be wiped off the map – the so-called Alliance of Small Island States. Yesterday, the African delegations staged a walkout from the conference after developed nations were not offering pollution reduction targets sufficient to halt desertification in Africa.

Right now, the Heads of State for every country in the world, including our President Barack Obama, will arrive in Copenhagen to seal a deal. Any treaty inked in Denmark will have to be ratified by the US Senate, an action that takes 67 out of 100 votes! I recently spoke with one of our Iowa Senators, Charles Grassley, about his likelihood of voting to ratify an international climate treaty. He is unsure, but he claims it will be dependent upon how the US is treated versus China and India. In the next few months it is imperative to pass domestic climate legislation so that a treaty can then be ratified. Only then can the United States reassume its role as the moral and economic leader of the world.

Drew