A lot of People, A lot of Talk

Poznan, Poland hosted this years UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Poznan, Poland, never heard of it? Yeah, me neither until I decided to go to the conference. However Poland, which still relies on coal for more than 90% of its energy, was a great example of why there is such a need for this annual conference. Over 11,000 people attended the conference representing 190 countries. These 11,000 people included scientists, politicians, delegates, those working in non-profits, NGOs(category I fell into), business and industry.

The world met in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and drafted the Kyoto Protocol (and then signed and adopted in Kyoto, Japan in 97, giving it its name). Kyoto stated that developed countries would reduce their collective emissions by at least 5% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. The U.S argued that developing nations should have limitations as well, therefore the US did not sign the Kyoto Protocol, making it the only major developed nation not to.

So next year in Copenhagen, Denmark (I'm absolutely going for any who would like to join) a new treaty will be signed, which will hopefully set stricter regulations for all nations. So Poznan, as exciting as it was...was a lot of talk since the actual action isn't happening until 2009.

So quick needed background info for all of you who haven't seen An Inconvenient Truth/have no idea what I'm talking about:

-Climate change/global warming is happening faster than we think
-Scientists have agreed that the earth cant handle more than a 2 degrees C increase
-For this to happen we have to stabilize our CO2 at 400ppm and we're at 378 right now
-If we go over 2 degrees C...Greenland is probably melting and say bye to those living on the coast...
-We have almost 7 billion people on this world and will probably have at least 3 billion more by 2050.
-Americans consume so much that if the world had the same lifestyle we'd need 4 earths to sustain us, andddd China, made up of over 1 billion people, wants our American lifestyle.

FUCK.

Don't panic...everyone at the conference knows this. This is why this conference has been happening for 14 years...even though with the slow progress you'd think it was maybe 4 years old..Anyway, with my thoughts jumping from hopeful to helpless on any given day at any given hour, I am walking out of Poznan, which I would actually recommend you visit if you ever make it to Poland, hopeful.

I have learned ALOT this past week, from the fact that Germany gets more than 70% of its power from solar while France gets more 70% of its energy from nuclear. I learned the pros and cons of carbon capture and storage, had drinks with the U.S delegate, and randomly met old professors' ex girlfriends. The main thing I have learned from this conference is that the technology is there. We have all the science figured out and the technology to reduce our emissions, its the will that is lacking. The lack of will from policy makers to make changes and the lack of will from individual people to change their lifestyles.

I'm a big fan of having those people who got us into this mess,(developed countries...mainly my home country) lead us out of it. In the side event titled: "From laggards to leaders:How the U.S and Canada can cut their emissions to 25% below 1990 level by 2020," Doug Boucher, an American from the Union of Concerned Scientists, spoke of a conversation he had with President Elect Obama one year ago. Obama told him, "I am going to be the best environmental president but I am going to need constant pressure."

With all that I have learned from the conference, combined with a new leader in the most powerful country in the world, I think Copenhagen will give the world the strict restrictions it needs to combat the most pressing issue for our generation. However, as individuals we can't just sit back hoping and expecting policy to make things happen for us...we have to keep pressure on those in power and also change our own lives. With living abroad, I am constantly reminded how much American politics and American people are under constant watch. The world is watching...why not show them how to get out of this mess.