Copenhagen: A Theater of the Absurd

Sam Black, 12.22.2009

Research Associate at the Stimson Center

I think we owe it to the Copenhagen participants to recognize that, for these two weeks, they made the debate over health care seem reasonable by comparison.

Key Countries Agreed to Copenhagen Accord to Address Global Warming

Jake Schmidt, 12.21.2009

International climate policy director, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

World leaders -- most notably President Obama -- took over these negotiations and used everything in their power to push forward an agreement in Copenhagen.

Let's Get Real About Copenhagen

Alexia Parks, 12.21.2009

Speaker, Author: "OM Money Money," "Rapid Evolution," and "An American GULAG"

Let's get real about Copenhagen. Until now, the biggest roadblock to signing the Kyoto agreement, and to making progress at

Foreign Affairs Roundup

Christopher Herbert and Victoria Kataoka Rebuffet, 12.18.2009

Editors of Simple Intelligence

This Week's Top Stories in Foreign Affairs: End of START and A New Beginning for Disarmament SI Analysis: An agreement on a follow-up treaty to the 1...

Climate Change: China can Make a Real Difference on the Issue

Xiu Min Li, 12.18.2009

China Program Co-Director, Pacific Environment

After refusing to publicly commit to any numerical target for reducing emissions, China seemingly out of the blue announced it would reduce its carbon intensity by 2012.

Copenhagen: China's Chance to Lead; Where is the United States?

Steve Orlins, 12.17.2009

President, National Committee on United States-China Relations

Much like how China found a way to modernize in many areas, China's current leadership knows that it must leapfrog from smokestacks to the next generation of clean energy sources.

Green News Report -- December 17, 2009 (Audio)

Brad Friedman and Desi Doyen, 12.17.2009

Co-Hosts, Green News Report

IN TODAY'S AUDIO REPORT: COP15 Cop-out? Copenhagen climate talks stalled in the last days -- or are they? Our special coverage continues... PLUS: A...

Time for a Big Debt Deal With China

Matt Miller, 12.17.2009

Author, The Tyranny of Dead Ideas

In an age of relative American decline, private placement of U.S. Treasury debt with the world's leading Communist power is an embarrassment whose time has come.

Copenhagen Blues: Obama's Weak Hand on Climate, and the California Option

William Bradley, 12.17.2009

California-based Political Analyst NewWestNotes.com

Obama has cobbled together some impressive-looking cards, including action in California. But he's nowhere near signing a Copenhagen Protocol, were one to emerge, which it will not.

Why the Road to Clean Energy Goes Through Little Rock

Joshua Freed, 12.16.2009

Director of the Clean Energy Initiative

While the climate change issue is much bigger than a competition between any two countries, it does show how much can be accomplished when even one nation commits to action.

The Mulch: Peaceful Protests Turn Violent in Copenhagen

The Media Consortium, 12.16.2009

Network of Leading Progressive Independent Journalism Organizations

By Alison Hamm, Media Consortium Blogger The United Nations Climate Change Conference (Cop15) turned ugly today when police officers beat back hundre...

Two Moves by the U.S. and China That Could Unlock the Copenhagen Chess Game

David Doniger, 12.16.2009

Policy Director, NRDC Climate Center

The U.S. and China each need to do one more thing to give one another, and rest of the world, the confidence to move forward in Copenhagen

How to Hold the Rich to Their Word

Jeffrey Sachs, 12.16.2009

Economist and Director of the Earth Institute, Columbia University

The entire world will gain enormously from the resulting predictability, fairness and follow-through of climate and development financing that we urgently need.

A U.S. Commitment to Developing Nations: The Key to Unlocking Copenhagen

Frances Beinecke, 12.15.2009

President, Natural Resources Defense Council

The US is the only nation that has yet to signal its commitment to medium-term financing for developing nations. This is what developing nations are waiting to hear.

Tears and Anger in Copenhagen: Will the Developed Nations Please Stand Up?

Alex Pasternack, 12.15.2009

Journalist on China, environment, architecture, technology and culture

Barring serious cuts and/or financing to the developing world, some are privately saying that collapse of the summit is preferable to a weak deal, or else hoping that Barack Obama will make a Hail Mary pass to Chinese premier Wen Jiabao.

Keeping the Wheels on the Obama Presidency

Lincoln Mitchell, 12.15.2009

Assistant Professor in the Practice of International Politics, Columbia University

Because he cannot provide peace and prosperity, Obama needs to pass some meaningful legislation to demonstrate that he is doing something positive. Just getting a health care bill passed will mean nothing to many Americans.

Old U.S. Allies Are Hedging Their Strategic Bets

Leon T. Hadar, 12.13.2009

Journalist and foreign affairs analyst

Washington should welcome the steps towards strategic adjustment being pursued by its allies and refrain from any attempt to force them to re-embrace to the old subservient approach towards the United States.

China Swaps US Debt for Equity: All Problems Solved!

Tom Gregory, 12.13.2009

Actor, radio personality, and Tony nominated producer

Goldman Sachs has announced that its Treasury Dept. has completed a debt for equity swap with the People's Republic of China, effectively solving most of America's problems.

Tibetans Take to the Streets Over "Terrorist" Monk

Rebecca Novick, 12.11.2009

While Tenzin Delek has been labeled a "terrorist" by Chinese authorities, to the Tibetan people he is a hero.

Top 3 Travel Spots: Tim Ferriss And Kevin Rose's Picks

Tim Ferriss, 12.11.2009

Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek

In this episode, we discuss our top 3 favorite travel spots. Details include favorite areas, seasons, things to look for and, occasionally, things to look out for...

Nuclear Energy - Answer to Global Warming or Status Symbol? (update)

Evelyn Leopold, 12.11.2009

Veteran reporter at the United Nations

In the search for "green" alternatives to oil or coal, nuclear energy is expected to make a comeback - mainly in Russia, China, India and developing n...