November 30, 2015, Paris
The 21st Conference of the Parties, COP21, officially opened today in Paris. President Obama was one of many world leaders who spoke at the aptly titled  “Leaders Event”.
Obama’s presence on the opening day of these climate negotiations stood in stark contrast to his last minute appearance years earlier in the COP15 talks in Copenhagen,  where closed door meetings were followed by an all night general session which strained the consensus process and resulted in the contentious Copenhagen Accord.
“I’ve come here personally as the leader of the worlds largest economy and the second largest emitter to say that the United States of America not only recognizes our role in creating this problem, but we embrace our responsibility to do something about it.†~ Barack Obama
Speaking in even tones, encouraging cooperation and a positive outcome, Obama’s statement today volunteered a conciliatory acknowledgement of the role the United States has played in creating the climate problem and “embracing” the responsibility to do something about it.
Obama invoked many familiar themes – innovation, jobs, protecting future generations, and the idea that economic growth is compatible with reducing emissions.
“Last year the global economy grew while global carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels stayed flat. And what this means can’t be overstated: We have broken the old arguments for inaction. We’ve proved that strong economic growth and a safer environment no longer have to conflict with one another, they can work in concert with on another. And that should give us hope.†~Obama
“Here in Paris let’s secure an agreement that builds in ambition, where progress paves the way for regularly updated targets, targets that are not set for each of us by but by each of us, taking into account the differences that each nation is facing.†~ President Obama
See full text of Obama’s statement.
Report by James George