United States has a Responsibility at UN Meeting on Climate Change

On September 22nd, the United States will be meeting on what will be the highest level summit meeting on climate change ever convened, which will include a speech by President Hu Jintao of China on Wednesday to the General Assembly. Although most of the largest developed and developing nations have made domestic commitments to develop energy efficiency and renewable energy, there is a common issue preventing the development of significant global emission reduction goals: countries are concerned about their own economic well being. Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations secretary general stated, “I have been urging them to speak and to act as global leaders; just go beyond their national boundaries.”

Countries, including the Untied States are waiting to see who will make the first step towards global solutions regarding climatic change. Round-table discussions planned for Tuesday already appear to be diluted from actual negotiations for an international global plan to delay their commitment to the last possible moment. This clearly is an opportunity to make progress towards a new climate change agreement slated to be accomplished in Copenhagen in December and the United States cannot let it slip by. As a country that is responsible for a significant percentage of global emissions, it is on our shoulders to make a strong commitment to this global issue and make a significant step to initiate momentum for a successful international agreement in Copenhagen in December. The health of our global environment hangs in the balance!

Forging on…unemployed

As I read about more losses in jobs in the United States this morning, I think about the potential there is through energy efficiency and renewable energy to create green jobs. Jobs in performing energy audits, jobs in weatherization of homes, installation of renewable energy systems, smart grid development and the list goes on and on. We must create ways for individuals to make a transition to green jobs for the unemployed and for individuals who determine that green jobs are more stable than the jobs they currently hold. This is a tangible solution to today’s problem, while participating individually and giving back.