COP15 Copenhagen

After the Kyoto Conference of 1997, many were disappointed in the results after several of the world's major powers did not participate and agree to the terms and conditions of the Kyoto Protocol, an effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

However, in 19 days countries from all over the world will attend the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark and unlike the Kyoto Conference, there is strong optimism about the future results of this conference. Denmark's Minister for Climate and Energy, Connie Hedegaard, says she is encouraged by the spirit and initiative of the ministers to get the work done. In addition, she says that the conference is still aiming at its complete set of goals for the future of climate change. To Hedegaard, "half an agreement is no agreement," so the COP15 team is working hard to ensure that the ambitions are met.

President Barack Obama has also encouraged the optimistic spirit of the conference after meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao. The United States and China were two of the major powers needed for ultimate effectiveness of the Kyoto Protocol, so cooperation and collaboration between these two countries is vital for the success of this conference. Obama stated after the meetings with President Jintao that the final agreement needs "immediate operational effect." Minister Hedegaard was enthusiastic about this statement by President Obama.

The question now is will the United States and China be able to compromise on certain issues so that COP15 will have full agreement among all participating countries. However, the positive spirit surrounding the conference in addition to the seemingly strong effort being made by countries such as the U.S. and China is extremely encouraging for the preservation of our environment.