A little reflection, writing from the Danish countryside

So now we have the anti-climactic resolution to all of this madness: “The Copenhagen Accord.” Some have called the deal a great success, some an utter failure, but most agree that “it is a good starting point.” Huh. After all of that—“119 heads of state and government are participating in the climate summit in Copenhagen, ranking the summit among the world's largest ever, and the largest outside New York. The 119 heads of state and government represent countries that account for 89% of the world's GDP, 82% of the world's population and 86% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Included in the 119 countries are the 20 largest economies and the top 15 greenhouse gas emitters in the world.”—after all of that, after one of the largest political gatherings ever, we can say that Copenhagen was “a good start?” Whew! Politics are truly inspiring, wouldn’t you say?

However, the unfortunate reality of all of this is that Copenhagen was a success, in its relative political context. To get 119 heads of state to tentatively agree on something, is in many ways a success in itself. Of course, this deal is not going to save the climate—it is non-binding and has no teeth. The biggest polluters, the US and China, really haven’t done anything courageous yet. What does all of this say about mankind? What does this say about the international political process (or even national, in the case of America) that we, as human beings, have created? If you had high expectations, and expected someone to swoop in and save the day, then you must feel a bit deflated at the moment. Humanity expected and needed a watershed environmental moment, something bold, heroic and courageous and all we got is “a good start.” That is simply uninspiring.

Lucky for me, I have always been a cynic, and I am actually feeling as hopeful and inspired as ever. Not in the politics, mind you, because there is no inspiration to be found there. What inspired me was this event in its entirety. Putting an environmental cause on the international stage, and getting our political leaders talking about preserving the environment—this has never happened before at this magnitude. And you what that signifies?—the game is changing, and human beings are evolving. We learned to burn fossil fuels because it made our lives easier, and it was a perfectly natural evolution—but now we are seeing the negative effects of our habits, and we are finding ways to react. Maybe the politics are too slow (I hope not), but the fact is: things are changing. People around the world are waking up, and millions are working to save the planet. If any of you could have met all of the people that I met at this conference—20 year-olds who have dedicated their lives to the environment—people with indescribable passion. If you could have heard them speak, watched them cry and chant and yell, then you too would have hope for the future. Many people don’t care about altering the course of humanity and changing things for the better, but those people don’t have much effect on the course anyway—they are along for the ride. The people who show up and change things—the people who effect change and change the course of this world are the people with passion—the people who are here, making their voice heard. Oh man, do they give me hope. This environmental movement gives me hope. Politics... not so much. But even there en lies some potential: if politicians keep their word, then this deal will be legally binding by the end of next year. So, as always, there is hope to be found.

Read here and here to read about the "Copenhagen Accord" in more detail.