Ban Ki-Moon Demands Action at Copenhagen, Obama Not In Such A Rush

Published October 26, 2009 @ 02:57PM PT

Ban Ki-Moon has laid out his benchmarks for success in Copenhagen. But don't expect the Obama administration to dance to the same rhythm: they're on their own clock, and have a longer term strategy. Expect the world's eyes to be on Copenhagen, but with a peace prize to collect, President Obama may be just on-time in Oslo to talk climate.

Mr Ban asks that developed and developing countries agree to do all they can to cut emissions, explaining that it is a smart investment to make. As India has been suggesting, he agrees that funding must be made available so that poorer countries can make the transition to low-carbon economies. This of course is nothing new but Mr Ban continues to stress the US's centrality to a deal. He explained in a New York Times op-ed: "I am encouraged by the spirit of compromise shown in the bipartisan initiative announced last week by John Kerry and Lindsey Graham."

The op-ed was directed towards US leadership, but of course President Obama will not be attending Copenhagen talks. But, here's the fun: President Obama will be in Oslo two days after Copenhagen talks begin, to receive his Nobel Prize. The (London) Times report that he'll likely use that stage to set out long-term environmental goals, making the case that though a comprehensive Copenhagen Protocol may not have been signed, the U.S. is serious about combating climate change.

Photo credit: World Economic Forum

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Obama is not going to Copenhagen?

Posted by Jeff Butts on 10/31/2009 @ 07:52PM PT
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Better to put the peace prize in the post. All the long distance distance flights to Copenhagen would be better made when there is an agreement on the table big enough to take on climate change, warfaring and all other indivisible global problems. These things can be fixed only with turn-around strategies, not with single-issue just-do-something policies. So far, humanity is trying to solve problems with the same mindsets that cause them. Think bigger, much bigger!

http://www.wiserearth.org/resource/view/2f007297ce994215d709c47f4c9230a1

Posted by james greyson on 11/01/2009 @ 09:35AM PT
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Two typos: Para. 1 just been time (just be ontime?)

Para. 2 India have been (has)

Excuse me, he can go to bargain for the Olympics for his adopted hometown, but not to bargain for measures against global warming for the biosphere we all share?

That doesn't sound right. That puts the peace prize in the bucket that says he got it simply for not blowing the world up, the way folks were afraid (rightfully) that Bush might do.

And - I have a bone to pick with the idiot who listed your article in the newsletter, signed "the Change.org team." The headline there was "Obama disses Copenhagen." Believe you me, a "dis" is a lot more than a brushoff and leaves no doubt whatsoever, while this looks like an ugly way to duck a real responsibility. That headline distorts the situation and sows distrust for news coming out of Change.org - somebody sit that writer down for a serious talk about journalistic responsibility and how Fox News is NOT the example to follow.

Posted by Carol Crooks on 11/01/2009 @ 10:46AM PT
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Without a commitment in his pocket from the Congress, I do not believe that Obama is going to make the same mistake Clinton did by personally negotiating or signing a document that he knows Congress is not yet ready to ratify. I believe that Obama is committed to fight anthropogenic global climate change (AGCC). He has more options available to him than a deal in Copenhagen. Time will tell if I am right or I am wrong.

Regardless, a strong deal in Copenhagen will still be good for the political process that could demand stronger action against AGCC.

Posted by Craig Nazor on 11/01/2009 @ 11:02AM PT
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How does this add up to dissing Copenhagen, or are you just trying to get people to read this. Getting tired of unsubstantianted hype and "commentary" that is just hitchhicking on what others have said.

Posted by Ned Hamson on 11/01/2009 @ 02:27PM PT
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Ned, I made the same mistake and then caught it - the hype was performed by the writer of the newsletter, not the author of the article.

Posted by Carol Crooks on 11/01/2009 @ 06:38PM PT
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It'll send a really bad message to the world if Obama doesn't go to Copenhagen. Climate change is the single most important decision to be made, above war mongering and healthcare.

Posted by Francine Last on 11/01/2009 @ 05:01PM PT
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Is it really surprising. I think dissing world climate talks is the status quo for US presidents, now. Obama isn't really changing the US approach he is busy playing the same procrastinating game in favor of our fragile and bogus market economy. Above all the rhetoric he is mainly cornecerned with the intererest of the wall street fat cats. Future generations will bear the greatest debt and responsibility for changing our economy to one that is truly sustainable and productive for the entire earth, the current economic model still rewards the biggest polluters and exploiters ("Exxon Mobil"). Lets not be so naive and think Obama can change this approach we need a more engaged and educated public to demand it and pto ractice sustainability personally. It is slow and coming....

Posted by Roger Gurdian on 11/01/2009 @ 06:09PM PT
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Mr. President Obama, see form attetion for causes the clime.

The USA is country very important for change the Copenhagen 2009 at new young future.

See; http://mixideias.blogspot.com

Thanks,

Brazil, São Paulo.

Posted by Clayton Fernandes on 11/03/2009 @ 11:43AM PT
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Clayton, I think it loses something in translation....I have no Portugues, but the videos on your site...are quite a contrast...

Posted by Carol Crooks on 11/03/2009 @ 12:10PM PT
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Very recently, Al Gore said that he thought that Obama would be in Copenhagen. Does he know something we don't?

Posted by Craig Nazor on 11/07/2009 @ 10:08PM PT
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