Giving thanks for President Obama’s commitment to Copenhagen

After months of speculation as to whether he would or would not go, the White House announced today that President Obama will be attending the Copenhagen climate talks.

During his time there on December 9, he will also be announcing a U.S. emissions reduction goal “in the range of 17% below 2005 levels in 2020 and ultimately in line with final U.S. energy and climate legislation.”  This range is consistent with the targets being debated in the U.S. Congress.

We are happy to see that the Obama administration is on the same page as Congress. This bodes well for U.S. leadership in 2010.

Earlier today, EDF’s Managing Director of International Policy and Negotiations Jennifer Haverkamp had this to say:

President Obama’s decision to attend climate talks in Copenhagen is good news for the planet, and a great Thanksgiving gift for America. President Obama’s personal involvement in this historic event shows the U.S. is serious about protecting the climate and creating a clean energy future for the world. With the President attending, the odds of Copenhagen producing real progress leading to a final, effective agreement in the coming months just shot up. This strong support for international efforts to fight climate change, along with efforts to pass clean energy legislation at home, will ensure America’s place as a global leader in the 21st century clean energy economy.

The EDF team will be on the ground in Copenhagen in just over a week.  In the meantime, check out our policy positions and keep checking this blog for real-time updates.

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One Comment

  1. astroknott
    Posted November 27, 2009 at 12:28 pm | Permalink

    This continues to depress me. After the scandal of “climategate” has been exposed we continue to mindlessly march forward with this. Please google “climategate” and you will know what I am talking about.

    What is most sad about this is the damage this is doing to the credibility of science in general. Global warming people remind me of creationists. They have already arrived at a conclusion, then sift through and cherry pick only those facts that support that conclusion. Science is about examining the evidence, ALL the evidence, and arriving at a conclusion based on that evidence. I am acquainted with many creationists. I don’t argue with them much because it’s a bit pointless. The trouble now, is that I am hearing things like, “See….see…..scientists lie! Scientists pervert the data!” etc. Unfortunately, in this case they are right! I try and explain that evolution is about science and “global warming” is about a political agenda, but it’s too late. The damage is already done.

    If the scientific community comes clean, admits to the fraud, and properly deals with those responsible for this then there is a chance to regain trust. But what I see happening is excuses for what is near criminal behavior from some of the most noted global warming scientists.

    This may take decades to repair. Those of you that continue to perpetuate this fraud have only yourselves to blame. What if one day there is a genuine disaster heading our way? After this mess who will believe the scientists?

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