Copenhagen

The New York Times is running an article entitled, "U.S. Offer of Long Term Aid Pushes Climate Talks Forward." The article begins, "With time running out on the stalled Copenhagen climate negotiations, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gave new hope that an agreement might still be reached when she announced Thursday that the United States would help raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to enable poor nations to combat climate change."

The United States has long led the world as the leading emitter of carbon dioxide. However, China has not caught up. Though the United States continues to have the world's largest economy, China's economy continues to grow. Do you think that that the United States has a greater responsibility to ensure that the levels carbon dioxide emissions lowers in the coming year? Why or why not?

Do you think that wealthier nations should pay less developed nations in exchange for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and maintaining the sustenance of trees? Why or why not?

Do you think that the leaders of the world will actually be able to slow pollution? Why or why not? Do you think that world leaders believe that they can accomplish this feat? Explain!

What one question would you like to answer about the Copenhagen Conference? Why would you like to answer this question?