The big question now, as the dust settles and media and world leaders alike bring their presence and focus back from Copenhagen to the world at large: what next?  Absent universal agreement and legally-binding legislation to show us the path forward on climate change solutions, where are we and where do we go from here?

The answers are as varied as the participants at Copenhagen themselves: some remain optimistic, others are discouraged and despondent.  It’s true that COP15 didn’t produce the real and concrete outcomes many were hoping for … but like many, we’re choosing to regard it not as the end of an effort, but the beginning of an important path forward.  Through the lens provided by our COP correspondent team of Olivia Zaleski and Gabriel London, we observed plenty of disparities of words and actions among leaders and nations … but we also witnessed the power of the individual demanding (sometimes violently) to have a voice.  By all accounts, the number of engaged citizens that gathered in Copenhagen over the last two weeks — some in the spirit of goodwill, others in animosity – was staggering.  Regardless of their view or voice, they were all there in the name of an issue they care deeply about …and that’s the kind of personal passion that gives us hope as we look to the future and contemplate what’s next.

Regardless of the climate conference outcome, there are things we can and should be doing as part of our commitment to Earthkeeping – from making environmentally-conscious decisions about the products we buy and the energy we use, to participating in local community greening initiatives, to urging our legislators to support climate change solutions.  For our part, Timberland will continue to push to reduce our impact on the environment — and continue to encourage others to do the same.  We didn’t entirely expect a global agreement coming out of Copenhagen, and we don’t need one to keep on as we have been, modifying our operations and our products to lessen our carbon footprint and create positive environmental action.  The lack of agreement in our post-Copenhagen reality doesn’t derail our efforts or stall our progress or diminish our passion for creating global standards for greenhouse gas emissions … nor does it prevent us from being optimistic that COP15 wasn’t the end of the road, but rather the starting line for an important journey still ahead of us.

Share your thoughts with us about all things Copenhagen here … how was our coverage, what are your thoughts about the outcome, how hopeful are you about the future?  And then please stay tuned — we look forward to sharing news of our progress and projects for 2010 with you soon.

Tags: COP15, Copenhagen, Earthkeepers, Gabriel London, Olivia Zaleski