William Moomaw

In America the public acceptance of the science of climate change may yet take considerable time to evolve, particularly in light of the persistance of received belief systems and the impact of powerful vested interests who have benefited over the last six years from sowing public confusion and thwarting any effective political action. Moreover, in a system where political leaders are selected through a costly process of timid, poll-driven, herd followership, it may take years to see any substantial change emerge from American governmental institutions. In the United States, political figures have proven themselves to be reluctant to get very far "out in front" of their constituients in the perpetual two-year election cycle. In this kind of electoral system, when the people lead, the leaders will follow, but for this reason, it is not realistic to expect visonary political leadership to emerge on these issues at this point in America. Half-hearted, half-measures are about that is on the horizon for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, in the private sector, however, very significant changes are already underway. Here there appear to be signs that a stategy of "too little, too late" is simply not going to be good for business. In fact, there is pressure growing to demand that governments assume its responsibilities to the public, the business community, the global community and future generations of humanity.

• Has the public's understanding of climate change been transformed in an equally dramatic manner?
• If not, why not?
• What is needed further to shift the reigning "public metaphor?" and drive new and effective policy formulation on climate issues?

• How has the tone of the international discussion changed over the course of this past year during the four successive releases of the IPCC Summaries for Policymakers?
• How has the evolution of the Internet and the world's computing technology changed the capacity of citizens to "speak truth to power?"