In December 2009, another United Nations climate change conference was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Among the 15,000 in attendance were heads of state, advisers, diplomats, journalists, and others. One group, however, was noticeably absent from the conference: scientists! This was a political, rather than scientific, gathering. Climate change, itself, seemed to be a minor concern. Rather, climate change was used as a political tool to achieve other goals. In this context, it is important to know that most of the countries represented at the conference are poor.

From the outset, the conference appeared to have two primary goals. First, the agenda focused upon development of a system whereby countries that produce large quantities of CO2 emissions would be penalized. Many critics saw this as a penalty for economic success imposed by poor countries upon the rich. If implemented, the system would lay the foundation for a massive transfer of wealth from developed to less developed nations. Second, the agenda called for the establishment of a global emissions task force. Legally binding quotas would be established, with which countries must abide. Emissions would be measured, and nations that broke the rules would be penalized. A number of countries worried that this would lay the foundation for a one-world government. If adopted, they believed that they would begin to lose their sovereignty (independence).

Overall, the conference failed to agree upon most of its goals. In regard to greenhouse gas emissions, it reached a rather toothless, nonbinding agreement. Rich countries are supposed to voluntarily list emissions targets. Poor countries simply should tell what actions they intend to take in order to reduce global warming pollution. A financial agreement, however, was reached. Rich nations agreed to provide $30 billion in emergency climate aid to poor countries between 2010 and 2012. The document also set a goal of providing $100 billion a year to poor countries by 2020. While this agreement may have little to do with climate change, it does have a rather positive side. The funds will help poor countries develop their economies and thereby improve the lives of their citizens.

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