The GOOD Guide to COP15: Now What?

Even if you flew to Copenhagen, they probably wouldn't let you in to the conference. But don't despair: You don't have to be a delegate to help stave off catastrophe.

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\nKeep track of the treaty: Negotiators are working on a draft treaty-raising objections, making changes, and shaping the fate of the world. Keep track of it at 350.org/treaty-tracker.Get to know the negotiators: Find out who will represent your country in Copenhagen and what they think. Adoptanegotiator.org has "trackers" from 11 countries following the meetings leading up to Copenhagen "so you can stay up to date and either support or put pressure on your country's climate negotiator to aim for a safe and fair deal."Petition important people: Send a letter to your local representative, or schedule some face time with a staff member (yes, you can actually do that). Urge them to support a climate treaty that will manage and reduce carbon emissions over the next 30 years. Learn how at wecansolveit.org/content/advocate.Get involved with Hopenhagen: The United Nations has teamed up with an all-star roster of ad agencies on a campaign to spread awareness about the opportunities COP15 presents. Join the campaign at hopenhagen.org.Participate in the International Day of Climate Action: An International Day of Climate Action on October 24 was organized by 350.org to make sure decision-makers knew where the public stands. Find activities in your area, or set up your own at 350.org/actions.

Make sure the treaty gets ratified: After the conference, the treaty won't be binding unless the U.S. Senate ratifies it. That'll take 66 votes, and they could be hard to come by. Find out how to contact your senator at senate.gov.

Do something on your own: The outcome of the conference will make a big difference, but it's not the only thing that matters. Ride a bike, eat less red meat, or support sustainable local policies wherever you live.

Read the raw documents: The Kyoto Protocol is the current international agreement on climate change. It's hardly a page-turner but it's actually not that long. Read that, and the draft version of the Copenhagen treaty, at unfccc.int.