Climate Change from a Global Perspective

The United States is making a strong statement about its commitment to helping the environment, particularly battling the potential impact of climate change. The same can be said for other countries around the world, even though many are still lagging behind or in a state of denial.

Among developing countries, however, climate change is moving to the front of major global isues.

According to an article published in the U.K.'s Guardian, developing countries are pushing for the establishment of a green technology organization that will oversee the transition away from a global high-carbon economy to more eco-friendly technologies, ranging from wind turbines and electric cars, to zero-carbon buildings.

Shane Tomlinson, of environmental consultants E3G, is quoted as saying: "We know that, to limit global temperature rises to below 2C, we'll need a step change in global innovation and technology transfer. In the period to 2020, it's vital we avoid high-carbon lock-in. The infrastructure decisions that developing countries are taking today, such as new power stations, are going to determine their emissions pathways for 20-30 years."

The U.N.'s Climate Change Conference will take place next month in Copenhagen. And it is expected that China will join with G77 (a group of developing nations) to recommend this new organization to be formed under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is already responsible for overseeing the Kyoto protocol.

On the other side of this move is the United States and European countries. Their goal is to create an advisory committee and nothing more.

It will be an interesting debate. Whether a separate body or an advisory committee is created, though, it will still be another step forward in the green movement.

Stay tuned.