What is the EU doing to fight climate change, and at what cost? Is the US ready to step up its efforts? Will the Copenhagen conference be a success or a failure? Citizens ask, MEPs answer.

Q&A: Before the climate conference in Copenhagen

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What is the EU doing about climate   change before the Copenhagen Summit?

The EU is doing a lot in order   to speak with one voice in Copenhagen,

to reconcile all the differences between   Central and Western Europe.

I'd like to remind you that the points of   view of Central and Western Europe

are somewhat different   when it comes to climate change

because most energy comes from coal,   so it needs to be taken into account.

Eastern Europe is ready to participate   in this fight for the climate

but not to bear   most of the costs of this fight.

Europe is leader in climate protection and   we want to keep this role in Copenhagen.

We have put on the table   our commitments to reduce emissions,

and we will contribute to the financing of   climate protection in developing countries.

Is the UN climate change panel   apolitical and scientific?

It's obviously political because   politics are needed to realise

the rules for financing   this fight against climate change.

I'm Marcus from Vienna, Austria.   I'm 22. I'd like to know,

if the US will now contribute more   to the fight against climate change?

in saving the climate with Europe,   with other parts of the world,

but it's difficult for him to push through   the climate protection laws in Washington

especially before mid-December,   Christmas.

But I think the US will, together   with Europe, accomplish this task.

I'm Malin Söderlund   from Stockholm, Sweden.

I wonder if this time,   unlike with the Kyoto Protocol,

the protection of forests, especially   rain forests, will be considered?

I'm Sergio from Palermo.   I'd like to know

if you think the Copenhagen Summit   will be successful?

It could be a moderate success, that's to   say that an agreement will be reached,

but numerous questions,   concerning the financial means

of the fight for climate,   will remain to be specified later.

Copenhagen has to be a success   because we cannot lose any time,

the glaciers are melting   and so is the Antarctic ice,

we know that climate change   is taking place.

Humanity has to come together,   we need everyone on board,

and we need a result in Copenhagen.   I am optimistic.

How much money will the EU put   in the fight against climate change?