With developing nations across the world struggling economically, politically, and socially, there was great anticipation for the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009. The event was met with both praise and criticism before the leaders of the many nations even began to discuss world climate views. Rallies across the globe were held, either in support or condemnation of the meeting. President Barack Obama had promised his supporters that he would not return from Copenhagen without forming some piece of legislation that would regulate the United States, and other developed countries stance on climate control. Prior to the conference, many negotiation meetings were held in order for each of the leaders to understand what other countries were seeking.
Many of the attending leaders came with lists of the steps their countries were taking, and would soon begin to take, in order to calm the Global Warming crisis. The two biggest players at the conference were the United States and China. The U.S. agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 17% of what they had been in 2005 by the year 2020. That number is expected to increase to a whopping 83% by 2050. The United States outlined several of the tactics they would take in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which includes regulating specific gases in various industries. China also agreed to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by 40-45% by 2020. While this agreement was well received, China has done little to show how it expects to cut carbon dioxide emissions, which has caused many groups and countries to become agitated with China's stance.
A few small protests were held throughout the beginning week in Copenhagen, but larger groups gathered in the streets of the city showing support for the leaders of the world. The general population in Denmark seemed to be in favor of some type of reform being reached. The group was probably disappointed, however, when there was no landmark bill, or other type of legislation that came out of the conference. One of the largest groups concerned with the growing problem of climate change are Indigenous Rights Organizations. Many tribal communities throughout the world have claimed to have suffered greatly over the past century, due to what they consider man-made climate change. Several groups came to the conference hoping for financial help to deal with the stresses of a changing environment. While there were promises of donations from wealthier nations to help the struggling tribes, many of the groups feel as if it is not enough. Indigenous groups desire the modern nations of the world to change the way they do business, and are upset that no such agreement was reached in Copenhagen.
While Copenhagen was a step in the right direction for many nations, many people feel that not enough was done in behalf of the struggling countries and tribes of the world. Along those same lines, a fear of increased energy prices and a lack of energy supplies is beginning to be noted. Gas prices seem to increase each year, and income has been in decline. In order for this problem to be solved, many groups in support of the Copenhagen Conference were expecting an in-depth discussion on alternative energy sources. The Conference failed in that regard, as no legislation was able to be reached as to what energy solutions that can be offered to the nations of the world.
Copenhagen was a landmark conference with high expectations. Unfortunately for supporters of climate change, many of those expectations were not met. As the leaders of nations across the globe returned home, many were met with harsh criticism for not coming to some sort of closure on the climate change issue. The issue will remain on the minds of the people of the world until nations can once again meet, and attempt to solve the climate issues of the world.