Worth the Energy

The U.S. government’s energy statistics agency reported yesterday that the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions increased 1.4 percent in 2007, in contrast to the 1.3 percent decrease that was reported in 2006. The Bush administration was asked recently about their record on climate change, and as a response, a summary cited the 2006 emission drop as proof of “real progress.” (See more details on the report here).

About 190 nations are meeting in Poznan, Poland until December 12 in order to discuss a plan of action to deal with climate change and rework 1997’s Kyoto Protocol, which has been proven to be less than successful in reducing emissions. Much attention is being paid to U.S. policies, with President-elect Barack Obama promising to bring U.S. emissions down to 1990 levels by 2020. China and India want to see more commitment from the U.S., and Chinese negotiator Su Wei said of Obama’s pledge, “We don’t think it’s good enough.”

Many critics feel that the conference is a lost cause, since the Kyoto Protocol has not produced the desired effects, many still debate the connection of climate change to carbon emissions and the financial crisis poses an imminent threat to the well-being of people in many countries around the world.

It’s understandable that these reasons have critics skeptical. However, the declining state of the environment due to man-made causes remains undeniable. If nothing is done now, then when can we expect change? What are your thoughts on the conference? Is it a lost cause? Is President-elect Barack Obama’s plan to reduce emissions enough?