With health care and Wall Street reform dominating the legislative agenda, Senator Harry Reid suggested yesterday that the Senate Climate Bill may be pushed until next session, according to Environment & Energy Daily. As the climate negotiations in Copenhagen are rapidly approaching, the United States needs to take a stand on climate change. As a powerful figure in the international arena, U.S. actions are viewed with great weight. As one of the principle emitters in the world, the United States has an obligation to drastically reduce its emissions. China, India, and the developing world—who have contributed very little to the current atmospheric imbalance—point to America as the problem child of the planet. Though developed nations may have a greater responsibility to reduce their emissions immediately, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is likely to hit a tipping point and cause irreparable damage if current worldwide emission rates go unchanged.

The ball is in our court. The majority of the world is ready to take the plunge and take responsibility for its emissions. Though they may not agree on reduction percentages, taxes versus market mechanisms, and more, all progress has been put on hold until the United States acts. Todd Stern of the US State Department's special envoy for climate change has made it clear that without a strong legislative commitment to emissions reductions, he has no power in the international negotiations.

The answer seems straightforward: pass a strong bill, make a firm commitment to mitigating the impacts of climate change. If the majority of Americans recognize this imperative and urgency, why aren’t our representatives acting accordingly? This is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Use your voice and put these democratic principles to work. This is not an issue that can be dealt with next session. The window of opportunity closes in December. ACT NOW.