| September 22, 2009 |  |
U.N. Summit: Asian Leaders Raise Stakes for Copenhagen; Pressure Mounts for U.S. Action
Statement by Alden Meyer, Union of Concerned Scientists
UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS (September 22, 2009) — China President Hu Jintao and Japan Prime Minister Hashimoto made significant new commitments to action on climate change at the United Nations summit on climate change this morning. President Barack Obama also spoke in the opening segment of the summit.
Below is a statement by Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
"Major new climate initiatives announced today by China and Japan—combined with the recent shift in India's negotiating stance—have rocketed Asia to a leadership role. These new developments increase pressure on President Obama and the United States to join with these Asian nations, the European Union and others to reach an ambitious climate agreement in Copenhagen in December.
"Chinese President Hu Jintao's announcement that his country will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by a 'notable margin' by 2020 is a welcome development, though of course the final number matters. India also recently announced it will take significant actions to limit growth in its emissions.
"In the 1990s, U.S. coal and oil companies opposed to U.S. participation in the Kyoto Protocol ran television ads claiming 'It's not global and it won't work.' This charge was never true, but these new initiatives by China and India should quash this excuse for U.S. inaction once and for all.
"Japanese Prime Minister Hatayama's announcement that his country is prepared to cut its emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 also adds momentum to the negotiations.
"Collectively, these initiatives by three major Asian nations represent a new 'tsunami of leadership' on climate change.
"All eyes now turn to the United States. Without a firm commitment from the United States to cut its emissions and provide significant financial and technological assistance to help developing countries limit their own emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, a strong climate deal in Copenhagen is out of reach. That in turn would make the goal of keeping global temperature increases below 2 degrees—which President Obama and other leaders endorsed in the L'Aquila summit in July—much more difficult to achieve.
"President Obama said many of the right things in his speech to the United Nations, and his personal commitment to action on this issue is not in question. But the real test is whether he can work with Senate leaders to get meaningful action on clean energy and climate legislation in the few months remaining before the Copenhagen climate summit.
"The president was correct in saying that 'our generation's response to this challenge will be judged by history.' History will not judge us kindly if we miss the opportunity that Copenhagen presents for worldwide action."
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.
