Obama urges leaders to take action against climate change
Source: ENN, Date: , 2009
President Barack Obama urged
world leaders to break the deadlock at climate change talks in Copenhagen,
although many nations accused the United States of lacking ambition.In a move
that could boost Obama's position when world leaders join the U.N. talks next
week, three U.S. senators outlined a compromise climate bill on Thursday that
aims to win the votes needed for passage next year.
Accepting his Nobel Peace Prize in neighboring Norway, Obama warned of dire
consequences if the world did nothing to curb rising carbon emissions from
burning fossil fuels and deforestation which scientists say are heating up the
atmosphere.
Obama will propose cuts in U.S.
emissions in Copenhagen but has yet to get the backing of Congress. While a
climate bill passed narrowly in the House of Representatives in June, the
Senate has yet to approve legislation.In Washington the senators did not offer
details of their compromise but said a target to cut U.S. greenhouse gas
emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 was "achievable and reasonable."