Obama Urges Climate Action at U.N., Avoids Specifics for U.S.

Speaking at his United Nations debut in New York on Monday, President Obama urged world leaders act swiftly on climate change. "After too many years of inaction and denial, there is finally widespread recognition of the urgency of the challenge before us. We know what needs to be done," Obama told other heads of state at a summit on the issue.
Ahead of the climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark this December, many foreign leaders hoped Obama would offer assurance that he would press harder for U.S. lawmakers to make progress on the issue. Obama instead insisted that his stance is a bold break with the previous administration, and that he has taken "historic" steps to passing climate change legislation in the United States. He noted that the House had passed cap-and-trade legislation, but did not mention the rough resistance it is likely to face in th Senate. He did, however, hint that hesitance in America's Congress had to do with the economy.

"We seek sweeping but necessary change in the midst of a global recession, where every nation's most immediate priority is reviving their economy and putting their people back to work. And so all of us will face doubts and difficulties in our own capitals as we try to reach a lasting solution to the climate challenge," Obama said. "But I'm here today to say that difficulty is no excuse for complacency. Unease is no excuse for inaction."

Video: Obama Addresses United Nations, Sept 22, 2009



President Obama Urges Action on Climate Change [Politico]