Win the hearts.

• Author: Alsanea, Rajaa
• Position: Brief article

I am all for an international treaty to curb greenhouse gasses. This is an issue that is close to my heart as a woman, a social activist and a healthcare provider. However, governmental and political officials who will meet in Copenhagen in December to seal a deal on this issue are not simply driven by idealistic goals. On the contrary, they are motivated by an array of conflicting economic, political and social forces. By the nature of their jobs, they will be expected to defend the national interests of their governments and industry to the fullest extent.

I envision that the African woman who struggles in the middle of a poor country in Africa will not understand how a higher tax on oil prices could help her cook food for her starving children. Or how do we explain to a poor woman in the northern part of India how more expensive means to produce energy are better for her while she struggles to pay the bill to warm...