An upcoming Ethics in Public Life (EinPL) forum will address the Kyoto Treaty that seeks to control greenhouse gases and represents a global approach to environmental problems.

The forum, co-sponsored with the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, will be held 7-9 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Pendleton Room of the Michigan Union. Titled “Global Climate Change: From Kyoto to Ann Arbor,” the event will feature John Hieftje, mayor of Ann Arbor, Andrew Hoffman, Holcim Professor in Sustainable Enterprise and Richard Rood, professor of atmospheric, oceanic and space sciences. David Hess, Bank One Corporation Assistant Professor of Business Administration and assistant professor of business law in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, and an EinPL steering committee member, will be the moderator.

The Kyoto Treaty, originally drafted in Japan in 1997, called upon industrialized nations to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide. The treaty was opposed by President George W. Bush, who in 2001 vowed the United States would never sign it. Some revisions were made and the treaty took effect in February 2005 without the United States signing the document, therefore, its success depends on voluntary action by corporations, state governments, local governments and others. Local leaders have chosen to comply, so the forum will focus on what they are doing, what motivates them to act, the ethical and other responsibilities that prompt their actions and the challenges they face.

The format will include comments by each panelist and a moderated question-and-answer period. Refreshments will be provided.