Urgency for our world leaders to reach agreement and enforce action on initiatives from recycling to reduction in gas emissions has significance in saving our planet earth. This is what Epoch Times reporters from Poland to the USA discovered when they asked locals around the world, “At the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Dec. 7-18, what would you like to see world leaders agree to?”
Pavol Markovic, PhD., 31, University Lecturer
I would welcome more responsible and more emphatic decision making and setting up standards, and not only a bigger knowledge about the issue, but also a better understanding of the goals. It’s not about a short-term economical advantage, but about keeping the biodiversity and environment. Also, without the most inconspicuous and peripheral species, or biotopes, the human beings might not survive, since we are all a part of the whole. Also, they should read a book from E.O. Wilson called The Diversity of Life, as not just one voice in a dispute, but as a book with an insight.
Leslie Pharris, Administrative Assistant
I want there to be a legislation that enforces people to go green by recycling. Maybe it can start in the community first, and then when everyone is on the same page, it can go on the national level.
Benedicto Ezquerra Sobera, 82, Retired Maintenance Manager
To be sincere, I have no great confidence that the world leaders can reach positive agreements in this meeting in Copenhagen because nowadays, politics are heavily influenced for external factors, and because of this, they tend to prioritize their particular interests over the general ones. That is why I’m not especially hopeful, yet reunions of this kind could be very fruitful if there were a more generous attitude.
Gianni Bonaiuti, 54, Technical Electronics
They must talk to their people and convince them that the country’s economy must change to create change in the world’s climate. They must explain so that the people understand that the planet’s climate will change only when all governments work toward changing the structure of the planet’s economy. They do not need to be afraid of losing the business of their people. They must be convinced and sincere that they need to save the planet. Then the people will understand.
Božena Klimešová, 59, Officer
There are so many problems ... Leaders should solve mainly the waste management; it is a big issue. Another issue is illegal felling of forest stands. Also they should prohibit sprays, and all that stuff that brings along the global warming.
Felipe Menezes, 22, Journalism Student
I would like to see an agreement that would represent a significant reduction in global pollution, be it the reduction of the emission of gases, or reducing the number of surplus goods that generate garbage.
Przemyslaw Zabik, 26, Student
I think that the decisions made at the conference won’t make much of a difference. Regardless, every person should care for the environment and this conference, organized on such a large scale, shows that man has lost his way and needs to rediscover how to live in harmony with the environment. Everyone should care for the environment; both the person who lives a simple life, and the businessman whose decisions have a much bigger impact on the environment. It is his unwritten contract with society to do his utmost not to pollute the environment, and live in harmony with nature.
Beth Willersdorf, 41, Shop Owner
Western world needs to show compassion and commitment to curb our consumerism and wastage at a local, one-on-one level, in order to give our less advanced neighbors a chance at survival. We need to realize air conditioning in our homes is not a right, but a luxury our third world neighbors will pay the ultimate price for. Food on the table in a country with free speech should be our aim for the whole world.
Bangalore, India
Annie Kuriakose, 20, Arts Student
All the leaders should come together and take a united stand and a unanimous decision as the earth matters to everyone and not just one nation. The underdeveloped and the developing countries have a lot to do, and the developed economies can help them with the resources. “Wake Up before the seas eat you up.”
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “How do people define ‘success’ in your culture?”
