Attracting around 100 national leaders and thousands of negotiators from nearly 200 countries, the Copenhagen climate change conference carries the hope of millions of people around the world.

People are hoping that a consensus in combating climate change could be reached in line with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. It is hoped that a deal would be struck on greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and on rich nations' financial and technological aid to developing countries as outlined in the Bali roadmap.

Such deals will bring food to the hungry, prevent the forests from shrinking and the flora and fauna from disappearing, and make the earth a better place to live.

A right choice at the Copenhagen conference will take the world one step closer to the target of sustainable development.

If the current global financial crisis is a result of the developed world's over consumption and debt-based economy, many natural disasters could be attributed to unrestrained greenhouse gas emissions in the past two centuries by industrialized nations.

The rich nations are, therefore, urged to show courage at the meeting and come up with emission cut targets compatible to their responsibilities.

Many developing countries are striving to boost their energy efficiency in a bid to contribute to the world's common aspiration for a cleaner future.

However, their efforts should not become an excuse for the industrialized world to shun its duties, and any attempt to suffocate the Kyoto Protocol will meet strong resistance.

People are hoping for an early delivery of funding and technology from developed countries to developing ones to help the latter cope with the impacts of climate change.

The aid marked a world recognition of the need for the industrialized world to make up for their environment deficits.

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer has called for US$10 billion a year in new funds to help developing countries to adapt to climate change.

People are even hoping that the Copenhagen conference could bring forth a new industry revolution and help lead the world economy out of the current recession, as every worldwide economic crisis had been followed by a radical technological revamp and global industry restructuring.

(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2009)