WWF Climate Blog

WWF's President Carter Roberts Calls on President Obama to "Elevate our Sights" in Copenhagen

Late this morning (Wednesday, 16 December 2009, 11 am CET), WWF-US's President Carter Roberts warned that international climate change negotiations in Copenhagen have reduced draft treaty text to "brackets, soft language and lack of resolution."  Saying "the moment is now," he called upon Secretary of State Clinton and President Obama to "elevate our sights."

 A video of Carter Roberts' statement is provided below.

Roberts said that we have arrived at the moment when we must "reach decisions to solve one of the biggest problems the planet faces." Despite high hopes, Carter said that last night's negotiations reduced draft treaty text to "brackets, soft language and lack of resolution."

He concluded:

"We see an opening for President Obama to arrive and elevate our sights, make commitments on long term financing, make comitments with other countries on reduction of emissions, and make commitments with other countries on verification of the same.  We know if that happens, it will  make it easier to come back to the United States and deliver legislation in the Senate, and ultimately lead to a legal treaty in the coming year.  If that doesn't happen, then we face a long slog and we will have failed the world here in Copenhagen.  The moment is now.  We call on Secretary Clinton and President Obama to elevate our sights."

 Interested in helping generate a successful outcome in Copenhagen?

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