The day has finally arrived: today is the first day of the Copenhagen climate change talks begin. The COP15 (15^th Conference of the Parties as it is known) hopes to put together a global agreement that would work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to within safe levels – an agreement that would take over from the Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012. It’s an audacious goal, but a worthy one. It’s a task we should not shrink from.

But there’s a lot to accomplish before truly binding agreements can be put in place. Perhaps the most contentious issue is that of how to regulate emissions in rich versus poor countries, with the poor nations demanding aid before they commit to targets, and rich nations requiring climate commitments before they send aid.

And there is also widespread disagreement as to the appropriate size of carbon reductions. While Obama has committed that the US will reduce its emissions by 17% below 2005 in the next few years, most scientists and global leaders contend that this is far too little.

Yet there is growing momentum behind the movement. Countries that could perhaps have the biggest impact on climate change in the near future – India, China, and Brazil being chief among them – have made public commitments to support the climate talks (here’s hoping they don’t walk out part-way through the proceedings as some have threatened to do). So there is hope.

Want to get involved? If you haven’t already, please do! Here are some resources for educating yourself and then digging in to make a difference during these important talks:

• Find up-to-the-minute information on the talks through the common editorial being put together by 56 newspapers in 45 countries.

• For a really quick primer, check out COP15: What’s at Stake in Under 5 Minutes.

• Then get active by signing petitions and encouraging others to do the same. Get involved by speaking up on Facebook or Twitter, sign up with the Tck Tck Tck and 350.org campaign or Hopenhagen, or get involved in civil protests (find one near you through Beyond Talk). You CAN make a difference.