William J. Snape, III [Senior Counsel, Center for Biological Diversity]: "While it is encouraging that China and India now recognize their important role in reducing world greenhouse pollution, neither their current commitments nor the Copenhagen Accord are answers to the most serious environmental problem the world has ever faced. The best available science tells us that we must reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse pollutants) to no more than 350 parts per million of CO2. Current levels stand at roughly 390ppm. This means that China, India, Europe, the United States and others must reduce their greenhouse pollutants at least 40% from 1990 levels in the next ten years. None of the non-binding promises by the world's leading countries remotely approach this mark, nor even the mark of 450 parts per million at which global warming might avoid no-return climate tipping points. In fact, the aspirational goals made so far barely bend the curve on ever increasing carbon pollution on their way to 700 parts per million and beyond, and leave us committed to temperature increases exceeding what life as we know it can sustain.

In the United States, there already exists a legal infrastructure under the Clean Air Act [PDF file] and other laws to reduce greenhouse pollutants. President Obama's Environmental Protection Agency is taking tentative steps toward implementing these laws, but a far greater sense of urgency is needed. It certainly does not help that a group of at least 20 Republican Senators from fossil-fuel states are determined not only to block EPA's every protective move, but also to attack the reality of global warming that in fact is already here for all to see. History will condemn these postures.

But the current political reality is that the false attacks on climate science have had some of their intended pernicious effects, and that a larger majority of the American people must again demand national and international action to combat climate change without delay. The US Congress, furthermore, will have to overcome its tendency to resist non-military forms of foreign spending, and help developing countries meet quite attainable technological improvements in reducing fossil fuel use and pollution. Ironically, both national security and economic opportunities are greatly enhanced for the US and foreign businesses alike if such "green investment" is taken seriously. The Obama administration seems to understand this situation, but must directly challenge the "Know Nothings" of the 21st Century.

Candidate Obama and the new Congressional leadership promised "change" during the heady days of the 2008 campaign. Such change cannot occur if the status quo political power of oil, gas and coal are allowed to maintain their grip on society at large. The challenge is large, yet the stakes are much larger."