The Foreign Service Journal, February 2008

when we are advocating the many positive programs dealing with global climate change I’ve de- scribed above. The Way Ahead Throughout 2007, numerous in- ternational reports underlined the reality of climate change and its deleterious effects on our world. At its Valencia meeting, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released an alarming report documenting the compelling evidence that climate change is a reality, one that is affect- ing the environment in a way that will have serious and perhaps disastrous effects on our ability to defend our shorelines, maintain our economies and feed and shelter our people for years to come. At the mid-December U.N. climate change conference in Bali, the U.S. agreed to participate in two years of talks aimed at forging an international agreement on emis- sions cuts, but rejected European demands to set targets. By all accounts, Washington was dragged kicking and screaming into that limit- ed commitment, and there were bad feelings all around. Still, it is the first time the U.S. has even agreed to participate in negotiation of a post- Kyoto agreement, so it represents real progress. Now the hard work of putting together a viable agreement begins. All nations have the opportunity to take these find- ings to heart and to act now to preserve our earth. It’s time for the United States to re-evaluate its position and look to the long term, soberly weighing the costs of ignoring the mounting scientific evidence supporting calls for action. F O C U S F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 35 SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE AMERICA S I NCE 1 9 7 1 2008 represents our 38 th year helping to maintain America’s fleet of vehicles throughout the world. All of us at D & M consider it an honor to have worked with all of you through these years. We are aware of the importance of your official and private vehicles, forklifts, generators, tools and equipment. We look forward to continuing this service in a professional manner. We are here to help, just ask! Gary Vlahov www.dmauto.com (516) 822-6662; FAX: (516) 822-5020; E-mail: info@dmauto.com By and large, our nation’s work on the science end of climate change and environment is something to crow about.