President Obama makes the right decision

Official: Obama going to Copenhagen climate summit
Julie Pace ASSOCIATED PRESS November 25, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama will go to Copenhagen next month, a White House official said Wednesday, to participate in a long-anticipated, high-stakes global climate summit.

The president will attend the summit on Dec. 9 before heading to Oslo to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, the official said. Obama's attendance had been in question until now.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the formal announcement has not been made.

The conference had originally been intended to produce a new global climate change treaty on limiting emissions of greenhouse gases that would replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. However, hopes for a legally binding agreement have dimmed lately, with leaders saying the summit is more likely to produce a template for future action to cut emissions blamed for global warming.

At least 65 world leaders will attend the summit, but unlike Obama, most are expected to attend the final days of the Dec. 7-18 conference.

Yvo de Boer, U.N. climate treaty chief, told reporters in Bonn Wednesday, "I think it's critical that President Obama attend the climate change summit in Copenhagen. The world is very much looking to the United States to come forward with an emission reduction target and contribute to financial support to help developing countries."

While Obama himself tried to tamp down expectations during his eight-day trip to Asia earlier this month, he also called on world leaders to come to an agreement that has "immediate operational effect" and is not just a political declaration.

Administration officials said earlier this week that the U.S. will present a target for reducing carbon dioxide emissions at the summit. The development came as the European Union urged the United States and China to deliver greenhouse gas emissions targets at the summit, saying their delays were hindering global efforts to curb climate change.

The administration has indicated for nearly a year that it would eventually come up with specific targets for quick reductions in pollution that causes global warming, as part of international negotiations. Those targets will soon be made public, officials said.

This will be Obama's second trip to Denmark this year. He made short trip to Copenhagen on Oct. 2 to make a vain pitch for 2016 Summer Olympics in Chicago during a meeting of the International Olympic Committee.

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OBAMA ANNOUNCEMENT ADDS TO COPENHAGEN MOMENTUM


Washington, DC – International development organization Oxfam America
praised today’s announcement that President Obama will attend the United
Nations conference on climate change in Copenhagen next month. Oxfam
America’s president, Raymond C. Offenheiser made the following statement in
reaction:

“For months, President Obama stated his personal commitment to tackling
climate change at the global level. Today, he signaled that he’s ready to
roll up his sleeves to make a climate change deal happen.

“All eyes have been on the US to see whether it will shift decisively to
become a global leader in the fight against climate change. But concrete
offers from the US have been missing, and Congressional legislation has been
slow to get to the finish line.

“Today’s announcement flies in the face of predictions of failure in
Copenhagen well before the conference even begins. Oxfam and other groups
have urged President Obama to join negotiators and more than 60 heads of
state in Copenhagen. President Obama’s personal appearance and commitment to
action can bring the necessary momentum to deliver a deal.

"Hard-hit communities on the front lines of climate change need President
Obama on the front lines of the negotiations. The President should head to
Copenhagen with ambitious goals to cut emissions here at home, along with a
robust finance package to help poor communities cope with the serious
impacts of climate change. The US proposal for a new global climate fund
marks a potentially helpful step, and President Obama should move quickly to
back it up with a commitment of substantial long-term funding."

Oxfam America is dedicated to finding long-term solutions to poverty, hunger
and social injustice around the world. For more information, please visit
www.oxfamamerica.org.


--
Jason Wojciechowski
Digital Strategist (GCAP)
Oxfam GB