The international community unanimously resolved to "prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system" at Rio Earth Summit in 1992. In the 18 years since then, we have achieved one binding international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions--the Kyoto Protocol--but global emissions now exceed the worst case scenario outlined in the 1990s. Many have found the international process slow, confusing, and uninspiring, but there is no viable alternative framework for addressing a truly international problem like climate change.