Back then, an agreement could not be enforced without those countries responsible for 55% of emissions signing off on the accord. In Kyoto, then-Vice President Al Gore signed, but the US Congress never ratified the treaty. Russia finally did do so in 2004, but then the period of enforcement was already set to expire in 2012, and a new accord was already in the works.

Over the years, there have been continued efforts to find solutions to numerous issues which had popped up: how to deal with the US complaint that some of the world's biggest contributors to GHG emissions (China and India) had been excluded from having strict reduction targets; how to prevent the abuse of carbon credits and the trading of them; and how to put in place financing for those countries too poor to handle the investments needed to reduce their emissions.

After the disaster in Copenhagen, a victory is sought this November-December in Paris. More than 190 countries will gather to find an agreement to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions around the world with an accord to come into action in 2020. The primary goal is to avoid an increase of 2 degrees celcius above pre-industrial levels.

So where does the situation stand now? As of the first of October there were 146 countries who had submitted their reduction commitments: The EU will reduce their GHGs by 40%, the US by 26%-28%, and China has said that its emissions will peak by 2030. Still many worry that there remains much to do and too little time left.

Al Gore and his group, The Climate Reality Project, are seeking to spread awareness of the importance of COP21 and this UN Climate Change Conference in Paris so that the world can pressure global leaders to sign an effective accord.

With this in mind, Climate Reality created a petition for supporters to sign: http://greenwill.org/en/climate

Beyond this, there will be a day of global concerts and parties November 13th-14th in order to promote awareness: 24 Hours of Reality (https://www.climaterealityproject.org/content/24-hours-reality-and-live-earth) Here in Budapest, there will be an evening at Brody Studios Friday, November 13th:

We invite you to come and celebrate with us this evening and help increase awareness for the cause. You may find all information below, and please remember to indicate on Facebook if you will be joining us or via e-mail by clicking here

Copyright 2015 Elizabeth Frommer. To republish please contact Liz by clicking here