Even though I don't see any substance coming from this event, I do see value. For starters there will be a large mass of people descending upon Copenhagen all thinking about the same issue and I certainly cannot be displeased with that. I'll be interested to see how hard science fits into this broader policy picture as well. How does one take climate model output/analysis and apply it to legislative and policy discussion? How do policy makers adapt the language from humble science to hardened policy? What all is lost in the translation? Although these questions may not be answered during my short time in Copenhagen I should at least get a taste of the whole process. In the meantime, better brush up on my H.R. 2454 and C-SPAN.
I tend to agree with your skepticism. In the US we can't agree on a single policy, how can we expect the whole world to agree on a single policy. In the end, real Change depends on the individual. Understanding the importance, and the need to reduce their own carbon footprint.