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Policy Analysis

Can we be pleased with the progress we have made in the development of energy efficiency and the mitigation of climate change?

By Mark Halle on November 30, 2009

"As the first decade of the 21st Century closes, can we be pleased with the progress we have made in the development of energy efficiency and the mitigation of climate change?"

IISD's Mark Halle responds to the question posed by Comment:Visions and European Voice for their December 2009 issue, saying, "On the eve of the Copenhagen COP, we have lowered expectations so far that it recalls the pop culture title by Richard Fariña: Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me. We all hope to be pleasantly surprised by Copenhagen, but we are all secretly girding ourselves to explain away a disappointment. But pleased with the progress we have made...? C'mon."

Comment:Visions, is a project of Euronews channel and Brussels-based European Voice newspaper. The project explores the personal views of thinkers, innovators and scientists about possible solutions to such challenges as global warming, overpopulation and dwindling resources.