As the weeks to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference draw closer, leaders seem to be lowering their expectations as well. EU and American leaders have publicly stated the COP15 will likely not produce a legally binding document. Apparently this tactic is aimed at lowering the public’s expectations, so we’ll all be less disappointed when nothing significant comes of the conference. But lowering our expectations as well. Surely pre-announcing that no binding deal will come out of COP15 is the best way to ensure that no binding deal will emerge. While leaders are right to recognize the difficulties ahead, this should make them more determined and more adamant that every effort must be made to reach a successful conclusion of the conference. Observers can be forgiven for feeling that our leaders have already given up.

Photo : Flickr, United Nations Photo