December 2009: Copenhagen Climate Summit
As 2009 comes to a close, it is important to embrace the positive despite the challenges that face our state, economically and otherwise. Difficulty and challenge brings forth opportunity. As we move into 2010, Michigan is on the cusp of true leadership in the building of a clean energy economy, with world-renowned expertise and infrastructure in our manufacturing sector. By embracing clean energy technology and strong clean energy policies, we can put Michigan’s outstanding labor force back to work. This time, instead of building the automobiles that drove the 20th century, Michigan is poised to innovate and make the vehicles and energy production technology of the future.
As Michigan begins this transition to a clean energy future, the world is gathering in Copenhagen, Denmark to begin the process of creating a new global consensus on climate change policy. While such agreement is a very tall order, it is imperative that progress is made, and it is incumbent upon the United States to take a leadership role on this issue.
There will be many wonderful ambassadors from Michigan present in Copenhagen to support clean energy and comprehensive climate change policy, including Michigan LCV co-founder and former Michigan Environmental Council President Lana Pollack; and Sarah Mullkoff, a recent MSU graduate who is attending as a Michigan delegate to the Will Steger Foundation, Expedition Copenhagen.
The December First Friday radio show focused on the Climate Summit, with special guests Sarah Mullkoff and Hugh McDiarmid, Jr, Communications Director at the Michigan Environmental Council, who traveled to Denmark for six days in October with a Michigan delegation comprised of representatives from the public and private sector. The delegation was hosted by the Danish Climate Consortium, a public/private partnership formed to promote the nation’s clean technology businesses that are contributing to climate change solutions.