The Brighter Planet Blog

This morning the White House announced that President Obama will attend the third day of the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen. The news comes after widespread acknowledgment that the talks will not result in a binding international treaty.

Most heads of state will only attend the final days of the conference, when the majority of deals are struck. But Obama’s early presence should spur the negotiations, especially since he is expected to announce the emissions targets the US is willing to commit to in the context of an international climate agreement.

It’s time to pressure Obama and other world leaders to make Copenhagen a real step towards an international climate agreement. There are lots of ways you can get involved. Join the tcktcktck campaign, sign the Hopenhagen petition, and attend or host a climate vigil. Most importantly, take a moment at Thanksgiving to talk with your family and friends about climate change.

Obama is willing to commit to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the range of 17% compared to 2005 levels by 2020. This is in line with the targets in the current House and Senate climate bills, but significantly lower than targets set by other developed countries. The 2020 US target amounts to reducing emissions 3.4% below 1990 levels.

-Ian