It’s no secret that almost every item on President Obama’s 2009 agenda has been met with staunch resistance from conservatives. Even centrist Democrats have sought to throw a wrench is some of the grander plans of this administration. But I read an encouraging op-ed in the New York Times last week by Senators John Kerry and and Lindsey which should move the debate over climate change legislation in the right direction. 

In the op-ed, Kerry and Graham essentially plead with their peers on the right and left to begin working together on a comprehensive strategy to cut Carbon emissions. Much of the focus concerns nuclear power and sequestered Coal power technology, which is much cleaner than traditional coal power. And even though many on the left have pushed for legislation which would put the U.S. on a course to completely eliminate old energy practices, the two senators are being realistic in suggesting a gradual decrease of fossil fuel use. 

Furthermore, this op-ed provides an impetus to get something done stateside before the international climate change meeting in Copenhagen. After all, much of the developing world will refuse to work with the us until it sees proof of a commitment towards change in our own energy policy.

This piece of writing represents more than just a symbolic gesture. It represents a new way forward. The only way we will see the kind of change needed to turn the country’s energy policy around is to force Republicans and Democrats to be open-minded. There must be dialogue, compromise, and above all a willingness to place politics in the background. Once we accomplish that, legislation will soon follow suit.