Obama Copenhagen Speech

Obama Copenhagen Speech, US president Barack Obama has met with China’s premier Wen Jiabao in what may be a potential breakthrough to stalled climate talks in the Danish capital Copenhagen, according to US sources.

The meeting took place as many look to the US and China – the world’s two largest carbon polluters – to deepen pledges to cut emissions and salvage a political agreement that will cut greenhouse gas emissions.

A senior Obama administration official spoke on condition of anonymity said that both Obama and Wen have directed their negotiators to work further on a deal after meeting for nearly an hour at the U.N. Climate conference.

He said Obama and Wen discussed greenhouse gas emission targets, financing for climate aid and transparency in monitoring nations’ pledges to cut emissions.

Obama addressed world leaders Friday, urging for coordinated, collective action, saying: “I have to be honest – as the world watches us today, I think our ability to take collective action is in doubt right now and it hangs in the balance. I believe we can act boldly and decisively in the face of a common threat. That’s why I come here today. Not to talk but to act.”

He referred to countries making demands on climate change action that he said were an obstacle to global action.

“No country will get everything that it wants. There are those developing countries that want aid with no-strings attached and no obligations with respect to transparency. They think that the most advanced nations should pay a higher price. I understand that.”

The US in turn has been heavily criticised this week for coming too late with an improved offer on money pledged to help poor countries cope with the effects of global warming.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced an alternative long-range climate aid program.