Copenhagen Climate Summit Challenges World Leaders

Leaders from the nations will go to the conference with the goal of reaching an agreement on reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the Earth's atmosphere, which contributes to the warming of the planet. This warming, scientists say, is contributing to dangerous changes that could cause natural disasters and drive people from their homes. 

The United States will try to strike a deal with other countries on how to limit carbon emissions while balancing the needs of the American economy, which relies on trucks, cars and coal-powered electricity to move and manufacture products. 

During a meeting at the United Nations last month, President Barack Obama emphasized the importance of finding a climate change agreement in Copenhagen. 

"That so many of us are here today is a recognition that the threat from climate change is serious, it is urgent, and it is growing," he said. "Our generation's response to this challenge will be judged by history, for if we fail to meet it -- boldly, swiftly and together -- we risk consigning future generations to an irreversible catastrophe." 

Domestic politics affects the world climate debate

	The cap-and-trade system is intended to force companies to look for cleaner ways of producing energy.

During the last United Nations climate change summit in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, President Bill Clinton supported an agreement to reduce emissions.

But in 2001, President George W. Bush’s administration pulled out of the treaty, which would force America to limit its emission of certain greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, saying the agreement was too costly and put America in a “straightjacket.”

That decision angered many other countries, who saw the United States, one of the biggest carbon emitters in the world, as acting selfishly. President Obama has made climate change a priority of his administration, and his allies in the U.S. Congress are working to pass a bill that would limit greenhouse gas emissions before the December meeting. 

See this Extra story for more on that bill, known as the Cap and Trade bill.

Business interests -- including companies that make electricity -- will likely oppose most climate change legislation because it would increase their expenses and add more rules. 

Denmark's Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller said the United States is in a difficult position. 

"We know that while the United States recognizes the need -- and the president not the least -- for swift action, the domestic political situation complicates matters. But I think that the United States will demonstrate the necessary leadership once the show gets going," Moeller said. 

Scientific consensus says there is too much carbon

	According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the transportation sector is the second largest source of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.

Carbon dioxide is a common gas emitted by animals, humans and the earth. But a wide consensus of climate scientists says that because of the high number of oil- and gasoline-burning cars, trucks and other machines, much of the carbon dioxide is being trapped in the atmosphere, warming the globe. 

That heat is melting polar ice and changing the world climate in dangerous ways that could permanently alter Earth. 

Critics of climate change reform say that there is not enough evidence that humans are causing climate change and that efforts to limit emissions will be too costly to businesses and the economy. 

Industrialized nations at odds with developing countries

	As a side effect of rapid industrialization, China now has serious pollution and smog control problems.

One of the major points of contention for crafting a worldwide agreement on limiting emissions is deciding how to balance responsibilities for a global problem between industrialized nations and countries that are quickly becoming industrialized. 

The United States is a modern country that has factories, power plants and millions of cars emitting gasses that trap heat. Americans enjoy air conditioning, big screen TVs and other luxuries that eat up energy. 

Nations like China and India are not as industrialized and emit less per person, but are growing quickly.  

China argues that its emissions rules should be more lax, because it needs a chance to catch up with the United States. Developed countries, however, don't want different rules and note that China and India could pose an even bigger problem if they do not strictly manage their growth. 

Fewer Americans think global warming is a problem

	The Obama administration predicts that new greenhouse gas laws will reduce America’s emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050.

While President Obama is trying to build support for new greenhouse gas laws, a new poll suggests that fewer Americans feel global warming is a serious problem, compared to a year ago. 

A Pew Research Center study surveying 1,500 adults showed 35 percent said global warming is a very serious problem, compared to 44 percent in April 2008. 

President of Pew Research Center Andy Kohut said that since the onset of the recession, people are giving lower priority to environmental issues. He said most Americans "want to do something" about climate change, "but it's not as sharp as it would be in a different economic climate."