By Julianne LaJeunesse, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service
With only three weeks until the United Nations’ Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, experts say that an unready United States will have to show the international community that it is still committed to long-term solutions.
“On this front, the U.S. is a bit tardy in terms of delivering its commitments but it hasn’t quite got an incomplete yet,” said Jack Schmidt, International Climate Policy Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council, who spoke Monday on a conference call with reporters.
President Barack Obama said that time for negotiations has run out for the U.S. in terms of forging agreements at the Summit. Obama said he favors a Danish proposal, which outlines commitments while postponing deadlines on emission targets, financing and technology transfer. In Singapore yesterday, Obama said he remains committed to reducing U.S. emissions by 80% and endorsed a goal of reducing global emissions by 50% by 2050.
Schmidt said that “prompt-start financing” could reflect U.S. resolve. The financial commitment builds trust between developed and undeveloped countries by providing the means to invest in infrastructure for undeveloped countries that want to use clean energy technology in product and energy creation.
“We need to stay focused on the fact that a number of the key countries across the world, including the major developed countries, over the past year... have brought forward commitments and have signaled that they’re going to take steps,” Schmidt said.
Climate Policy Director Says U.S. Must Commit To Copenhagen
With only three weeks until the United Nations’ Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, experts say that an unready United States will have to show the international community that it is still committed to long-term solutions.
“On this front, the U.S. is a bit tardy in terms of delivering its commitments but it hasn’t quite got an incomplete yet,” said Jack Schmidt, International Climate Policy Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council, who spoke Monday on a conference call with reporters.
President Barack Obama said that time for negotiations has run out for the U.S. in terms of forging agreements at the Summit. Obama said he favors a Danish proposal, which outlines commitments while postponing deadlines on emission targets, financing and technology transfer. In Singapore yesterday, Obama said he remains committed to reducing U.S. emissions by 80% and endorsed a goal of reducing global emissions by 50% by 2050.
Schmidt said that “prompt-start financing” could reflect U.S. resolve. The financial commitment builds trust between developed and undeveloped countries by providing the means to invest in infrastructure for undeveloped countries that want to use clean energy technology in product and energy creation.
“We need to stay focused on the fact that a number of the key countries across the world, including the major developed countries, over the past year... have brought forward commitments and have signaled that they’re going to take steps,” Schmidt said.