Obama's cut to C02

Barack Obama has given the go-ahead to cut America’s CO2 emissions in the next 40 years by more than four-fifths, or so it seems.

The US president also agreed to attend to the crucial climate change talks starting on December 9 in Copenhagen according to White House officials. International pressure from the world’s super powers forced Obama’s hand in the decision, especially as he is expected to claim a Nobel Peace prize in Oslo after the summit closes.

With the White House calling Mr. Obama’s decision to attend “A sign of his continuing commitment and leadership to find a global threat of climate change.”

At the meeting he is likely to commit towards cutting emissions by 17 per cent, as early as 2020 and by 2050 83 per cent is his estimate. Yet critics disagree by claiming he is basing those figures on 2005 levels, which could result in a much lower result.

However, as the US is a major contributor to CO2 emissions across the globe at least Mr. Obama has recognized the impact his country is having on the current climate, even if he has done so reluctantly. A green peace representative said: ”None of the developed countries are going nearly far enough and, with reductions of just four per cent in real terms, the US is proving to be the laggard of the lot.”