[Raptor235]

The world of international politics can never be described as fast moving. The Kyoto Protocol, which legally binds nations into reducing carbon emissions, was adopted in 1997, yet didn’t come into force until 2005, and the targets will not have to met until 2012.

Now the world leaders are gathering once again for the latest Climate Change Conference, this time in Bali, Indonesia, a country which has first-hand experience of the extreme weather events caused by climate change. One of the major topics at the conference, which takes place from 3 - 14 December, will be how the global community continues to tackle climate change after 2012.

Action will need to take place now for any new agreement to come into force after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012 – and it is due to this timing that The Prince of Wales and the business leaders of 150 global companies are urging the politicians to come away from the conference with a ‘roadmap’ for the future.You can find the entire article here http://aboutmyplanet.com/climate-cha...s-future-their

[Roguegal]

Do you really expect to get any politicians to get results? It has been my experience that most politicians have their own agenda and the people suffer for it.

[travelforever]

Yes the politicians have their own agenda. It is up to the people to take away their livelyhood by voting them out.

I had a friend who use to contact her local congressman and flatly ask him, ¨Do you like your job? Do you want to remain in this job? Because if certain issues are not addressed, our neighborhood will se to it that you will no longer sit in that chair.¨

By the public remaining complacement, will allow the politicians to do what they want and not what you want. And that is bi-partisian.

[Roguegal]

You got that right! The only thing they really care about is getting a pay raise. Do you know what the first thing Congress does when they meet for the first time every year? That is right they vote in a pay raise for themselves! While the rest of us poor souls of the country beg our bosses or do without.

[Simon47]

People can be forgiven the one track assumption that the responsibility for climate change rests on the government. While it is ultimately their responsibility for the administration and management there is a communty at large and they are like chimpanzees escaped from the zoo. Free and unrestrained because simply; we live in a world that adheres to the minimum standards.

It's so much easier I suppose to blame someone else instead of accepting personal responsibility particularly if it isn't legislated or legally mandated. for every man, woman and child to be made responsible. Politicians are accountable even though the question of if they can be made accountable is another matter.

It's more about lifestyles than we imagine or even consider. Regardless of dire warning and all manner of social shock therapy and commercial news enterprise borne of fear mongering and sensational messaging; we are free and our freedom is touted as the most precious right we have. Personally i think it should be removed but I would rebel against totalitarian enactments as well if they were that extreme.

How then are we to end the risk and fears of climate change. The government won't act with any rapidity for fear of the mythos of economic collapse and people won't control themselves without ignificant restriction and the idea of command and control eneactments are repugnant to freedom lovers and they threaten revolt already over other controls such as free speech and privacy laws. We can see what volunteerism is accomplishing since it has been a voluntary program of self control over the entirety of the industrial revolution and serious regulation has only been in place for a few decades. This is not to say that pollution is highly regulated.

It's up to you. It has always and will always be up to the individual and so it is up to the collective of individuals that are willing to change their lifestyles, their life goals and their behaviour. It's what you buy why, when and how much you buy of anything. Commerce drives the engine and so it is shoppers to direct the carriage. We are consumers. If we had not entered an age of technology we would still be consumers. We would just be ecofriendly consumers because our product and materials would be natural and our numbers would not be so large and therefore we would be living sustainably, more or less.

If none of this is convincing anyone to take personal responsibility for the consequence of their individual choices and responsibility to take every possible action then let me say one thing more. Kiss and hug you're loved ones today; in memory of their future choices that you failed to protect.

Sim

I don't blame politicians entirely until 100% of the population participates in democracy but I blame consumers for their 100% participation in commerce and the gain based lifestyle.

[travelforever]

I am focusing on the fact that most US politicians choose to ignore that there is a problem.

Quote from Al Gore at today´s conference in Bali, "My own country, the United States, is principally responsible for obstructing progress here in Bali."

I whole heartily agree it is up to each individual to be responsible within their own enviroment and with each other but I still feel that globally, all governments must participate in getting their act together. The people of the US are fortunate enough to have the right to vote and express to their government make neccessary changes but the complacment attitude defeats that purpose.

It all begins with you first, your neighbors, your local government and then on to the corporate and political ladder. I grew up in NYC during the 60´s when we actually had to wear masks because the smog was so thick and dangerous. The Hudson and East Rivers were a thick green muck with sewer spilling into it. Across the river, in New Jersey, factories spewed black from their funnels; Then we had our 1st Earth day. in 1969. I and my class washed down all the statues in Central Park. Within 20 years, the air quality was clean along with the park. The Parks Dept. has done a wonderful job. So much so that 3 new parks were created in Manhattan alone, with new trees to help with the auto pollution. The buses are energy efficient and has lower carbon emmissons. The Hudson River now allows swimmers (something that was unheard of in 50 years as it was polluted at the turn of the century) and the toxic waste is properly filtered, thanks to the water dept. The caps were placed on the factories across the river and the smoke stacks are purified.

How did this happen? By individuals taking an interest and pushing the City of NY who in turn pushed the Federal Govt.