| November 25, 2009 |  |
Obama's Trip to Copenhagen Will Help Solidfy International Deal
Statement by Alden Meyer, Strategy and Policy Director, Union of Concerned Scientists
WASHINGTON (November 25, 2009) — Today's announcement that President Obama will travel to Copenhagen on December 9 to participate in the United Nations climate change meeting raises the prospects for an international agreement, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Below is a statement by Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists:
"President Obama's decision to go to Copenhagen on December 9 to personally deliver the U.S. position on climate change to the rest of the world is welcome news. It will take the personal commitment of the president and other leaders to deliver the fair, ambitious and binding climate agreement that the world needs out of Copenhagen.
"The emissions reduction target of 17 percent below 2005 levels in 2020 that the president intends to take to Copenhagen is in line with the climate and energy bill passed by the House earlier this year, but is lower than the 20 percent reduction called for in the bill reported out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last month. We urge the president to indicate that he will press for this more ambitious target as the Senate continues its work on the legislation early next year.
"It's also essential that President Obama communicates his personal commitment to ensuring Congress passes climate and energy legislation in early 2010. The world needs to hear that this will be a top priority for him and the Senate once Congress completes its work on domestic health care reform.
"Today's White House announcement was silent on the need for significantly more funding to help developing countries deploy clean energy technologies, reduce deforestation, and adapt to the already serious impacts of global warming. The United States, Europe, Japan and other developed countries must put a credible finance package on the table in Copenhagen to meet those needs, and President Obama should assure the world that the United States will do its fair share in this collective effort.
"Finally, the White House should make clear that the president is prepared to return to Copenhagen on December 18 to join other world leaders for the final high-level portion of the climate summit to get the final deal done."
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
