GREG POWELL, 09 NOV 2009

In Alberta, "Kyoto" is a very, very bad word. If you wants to ensure your political demise in this province, using the word "Kyoto" in public should just about do the trick. Will the climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December leave an equally bad taste in Albertans' mouths? Or will Copenhagen be the place where, with bold leadership, we will find a new path forward?

While already a progressive city, Copenhagen is to become a monument. It is a test of international political will. How do we collectively manage challenges that may threaten our entire civilization as we know it? How do we translate science, notwithstanding its margins of uncertainty, into political action? During the two weeks in Copenhagen at the Conference of the Parties, these questions will come under the scrutiny of all countries of the world.

Game theorists have already thrown in the proverbial towel at Copenhagen. Given the plethora and range of interests, they say, there is no chance of a treaty coming out of Copenhagen before Christmas. Canada's chief negotiator, Environment Minister Jim Prentice, has also tapped out before the match has begun.

Some are looking ahead to the G8 meeting in Huntsville, Ontario (June 2010) since Copenhagen doesn't stand a chance. Are they cynics? Or are they realists? If we're looking for optimism, we'll have to turn to our youth.

Canada's youth and others are calling for Canada to commit to something that is fair, ambitious and binding.

Fair - The countries that are responsible for the gases currently in the atmosphere should take the most action to reduce further emissions.  Further, the countries that emitted the most greenhouse gases - the world's high-income countries - should help the others adapt.

Ambitious - Tokenism won't change anything. Taking major bites out of any country's emissions portfolio will require serious political will, which won't come without cost.

Binding - We currently lack international law enforcement mechanisms. Within a matter of weeks, 192 countries must find a way to hold each other to account. An agreement that is not sufficiently binding is not worth the paper on which it is written. Last round, the Liberals signed and ratified an international agreement without any plan - or intention - of meeting that agreement. We effectively lied to the rest of the world. As a Canadian, I find that embarrassing.

Canadians should be hopeful about a fair, ambitious and binding agreement in Copenhagen. But it isn't going to materialize magically. Our leaders need to know the will of the people, which means taking it to the streets. A single letter won't suffice. A single call to a representative won't suffice. We must turn hope for an agreement into action for an agreement.

Copenhagen is a test of our civilization. Will Canada sit this shift out, hoping someone else will do the dirty work? Or are we going to pick up a shovel and get to work, doing our fair share? We'll know within a few weeks, when the legacy of Copenhagen becomes evident.