Perhaps the first thing to do to get the U.S. getting it's sh*t together is to allow selling hemp flowers there, like in Amsterdam.

The Netherlands are so progressive that even Germans find it mind boggling. They are like a different species of hominid (perhaps the emerging Homo Eusapiens) on a different planet. Unthinkable anywhere else, forgettaboutit in U.S...

Please cite the name & sponsors of the conference you are describing. At Google search I find that Salzberg hosts a LOT of conferences. Thanks.

... since, oh, at least 1979.

I was a graduate student at the U. of Pennsylvania at the time. One day in February I came down to Washington and called in on the Dutch embassy's economic counselor to talk about their energy policy. I mentioned the problem of SO2 emissions (they were then increasing their coal use), and I was taken aback when the guy said, "In The Netherlands, we're not so worried about SO2 emissions, but CO2 emissions. We are, after all, highly vulnerable to rising sea levels."

These are only my personal opinions.