Progress in the making and the end in sight

To say that progress has been in the making during these last two weeks is an understatement. The amount of progress made thus far during the climate negotiations at COP21 could be argued the most difficult and successful progress that has happened in the last year. Nearly two hundred countries debating over the complexity of words to be used to reach an international agreement on climate change and global temperature rise. With almost one party objecting to nearly every single word and phrase during the early negotiations, having a condensed 27 page draft and an "agreement in sight" according to the Huffington Post, is significant progress and success (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/10/paris-climate-talks-deal-in-view-but-negotiations-likely-to-go-into-overtime?CMP=share_btn_tw&utm_content=bufferc5ae1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer).
 Ultimately, the most successful outcome will occur when the final text is released and it is announced that a final agreement has been made. I am optomoistic that this will happen as our many of my colleagues. We spoke with a reporter from the St. Cloud times yesterday who asked us to make a prediction about the final results. We all said, yes, an agreement will be reached. So far that is looking like it will happen. After nearly two all night sessions, we and our future generations can be hopeful that the negotiators will reach a deal. This deal will set the tone for upcoming years of progress toward reducing global temperature rise and greenhouse gas emissions. Let's hope that the local government leaders, business leaders, indigenous communities, politicians and researchers present at COP21 will carry forward with their strong actions and desire to improve our plant. We need this deal. It will provide hope and optimism for our youth who will have to and are already bearing the consequences of climate change. This time last year I had already been skiing more than two dozen times. And now with no snow and temperatures in the mid 30's and 40's, I have yet to step into a pair of skis. I sure would like to teach my kids how to ski one day. For the sake of skiing, our future generations and our planet, let's hope our leaders are true to their word that the media has put out in the last few hours. Progress is happening, and an agreement is in sight. Cheers to this progress and the beginning of the weekend!