November 25, 2009
Posted: November 25th, 2009 10:15 AM ET
Obama to go to Copenhagen climate-change summit .
Obama to go to Copenhagen climate-change summit .

Washington (CNN) – President Barack Obama will go to Copenhagen, Denmark, next month for a major climate-change summit, the White House announced Wednesday.

Obama is prepared to offer a goal of the United States reducing emissions to 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, the White House said in a news release.

The White House also reiterated Obama's goal of reducing U.S. emissions by 83 percent by 2050.


The targets come from a climate-change bill passed earlier by the House of Representatives - but not yet by the Senate - so the United States has not yet committed itself to any legally binding goals.

Obama had said earlier he would be in Oslo, Norway, to accept his Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, but had not confirmed he would go to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which runs from December 7 to 18.

He will go to Copenhagen the day before he goes to Oslo, the White House said.

Greenpeace criticized Obama's decision to go at the beginning of the conference rather than the end.

"The Copenhagen climate summit is not about a photo opportunity, it's about getting a global agreement to stop climate chaos. President Obama needs to be there at the same time as all the other wold leaders – December 18," Mike Townsley, spokesman for the environmental advocacy group, told CNN.

"This is when he is needed to get the right agreement. Again the right city, again the wrong date. It seems that he's just not taking this issue seriously," Townsley said.

–CNN's Paul Steinhauser, Jill Dougherty, Lisa Desjardins and Hilary
Whiteman contributed to this report.

Filed under: President Obama • White House • climate change


Really?!   November 25th, 2009 12:26 pm ET

So is anyone going to tell Obama that global warming is a hoax, now that the Climate Gate emails have been released?

Dave   November 25th, 2009 12:22 pm ET

Just love how the main stream media turns a blind eye to the "Climategate" emails and is trying to brush it under the rug. Please do not think that these mainstream sites are telling us all we need to know.

Amazing   November 25th, 2009 12:22 pm ET

Can't accomplish that if we won't get off that tax payer provided jet. My driving an ugly Prius won't make up for his flying all over the place pushing this phony agenda.

Fred the Moderate   November 25th, 2009 12:16 pm ET

President Obama,

If I were you, I'd stay home and work on the jobs issues for a while. Your cronies aren't doing a good job of it.

Fair is Fair   November 25th, 2009 12:16 pm ET

Maybe one of you scientific experts can answer this question for me.

CO2 is heavier than air. Why is it then that the so-called experts tell us that CO2 traps heat in the UPPER atmosphere? Theoretically, wouldn't a heavier substance have more mass and therefore, because of gravitational forces, hang around in the lower atmosphere where it would be consumed by plant life, producing oxygen?

Anxiously awaiting a non-judgemental explanation.

Don   November 25th, 2009 12:15 pm ET

While Rome burns, our President flies off yet again to attend a junk science convention. If he’s so concerned about the non-existent AGW, why doesn’t he travel there under wind power. Having him out of the county for a few months might do us some good.

kevin   November 25th, 2009 12:14 pm ET

yeah whatever. Sellout . didn't you take a trip there already Barry? didn't work out so well did it?

Jane/Seattle   November 25th, 2009 12:07 pm ET

Obama needs to read Thom Hartmann's book, "Threshold". Thom spent time in Denmark researching and this is included in this book. Denmark remains a country where folks are much happier than most other places. Folks have healthcare, education, no fear of retirement going into old age. Taxes may be higher, BUT they are happy as basic needs get met without hassle or fear. Problem in America: Too many greedy capitalists who refuse to even consider that other countries could have better, more effective policies. Bottom Line: Either we figure all of this out soon or the carnage wil be immense! Right now in the news-icebergs floating toward New Zealand! Corporate Capitalists and their minions in government are the Problem! The Rising Up of we the people (non-violently with education) IS the Answer. An old bumper sticker reads: If the People Lead the Leaders Will Follow. This is our Constitutional responsibility to hold these renegades accountable! If we do not, the threshold we cross will not be what we wish for our future. Peace

Fair is Fair   November 25th, 2009 12:05 pm ET

How ironic – leaving a massive carbon footprint behind to attend a climate change summit. Typical "do as I say not as I do" attitude of the Obama administration.

seebofubar   November 25th, 2009 11:58 am ET

Obama....just do us all a favor....QUIT. You're in so far over your head is insane. I am disgusted at the thought of you representing our country. Oh how we can't wait for 2012.

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