Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, sits with UN Ambassador Susan Rice as they wait for President Barack Obama to address the UN Climate Change Summit, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at the United Nations Headquarters.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama ascends to the podium to address the summit on climate change at the United Nations headquarters in New York Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.
Finland President Tarja Halonen, left, and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabeh chair a discussion on climate change during a climate change summit, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at the United Nations headquarters.
Actor Djimon Hounsou, a native of Benin, speaks at the Summit on Climate Change at the United Nations, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.
President Barack Obama addresses the United Nations Climate Change Summit, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at the United Nations Headquarters.
China's President Hu Jintao is, left, awaits President Barack Obama's address before the United Nations Climate Change Summit, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at the United Nations Headquarters.
Former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore enters a press conference during a climate change summit, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at the United Nations headquarters.
U.S. President Barack Obama addresses the Summit on Climate Change, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, as U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon listens at the United Nations.
- China pledged for the first time to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions in proportion to economic growth in an effort to fight global warming.
President Hu Jintao, without giving any numbers, offered to reduce the so-called carbon intensity of factories and power plants in the world’s third-biggest economy yesterday at a United Nations summit on climate change in New York.
President Barack Obama speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative 2009 Annual Meeting in New York, 22 Sep 2009
U.S. President Barack Obama is calling on leaders from all sorts of backgrounds to come together to tackle worldwide problems. Mr. Obama says it is time for a new spirit of partnership.
The comments came in a rather philosophical address to the Clinton Global Initiative. It is a forum set up by former President Bill Clinton to encourage leaders from government, business, academia and other fields to join forces to deal with global challenges.
President Obama left no doubt he believes in their cause.
"If you want to bring about change in the world, you can't just be an advocate of somebody else doing it," said President Obama. "You can't just preach lofty goals and wait for somebody else to act. You have to step up. You have to serve."
He said groups like the Clinton Global Initiative are making a difference around the world by working with business to cut dangerous emissions, empowering entrepreneurs with micro-loans, and giving hope to some of the world's poorest children.
"That is the meaning of service," said Mr. Obama. "That is the difference we can make when we remember our common humanity, when we embrace our common responsibilities, when we recognize our common destiny."
President Obama lavished praise on his Democratic Party predecessor at the White House. He said the Clinton Global Initiative has had an impact on more than 200 million people in more than 150 countries.
Mr. Obama said such a contribution is always welcome, but more so now.
"As hard as it may be to sustain in these economic times, your commitments have never been more needed, they have never been more inspiring," he said.
The Clinton Global Initiative also heard from the prime ministers of Turkey, Australia and the Netherlands, and the presidents of Argentina and Chile. The heads of two major international firms - Walmart and Coca-Cola - also took part in the group's annual meeting in New York City.
China agree to reduce carbon emission but give no details or numbers.
- China pledged for the first time to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions in proportion to economic growth in an effort to fight global warming.
President Hu Jintao, without giving any numbers, offered to reduce the so-called carbon intensity of factories and power plants in the world’s third-biggest economy yesterday at a United Nations summit on climate change in New York.
The pledge prompted former-US vice-president and environmental activist Al Gore to praise China's leadership.
Chinese President Hu Jintao gave no details about the measures, which should mean emissions grow less quickly than the economy.
China is the world biggest polluter, according to some measurements.
The US, the world's other major emitter, said China's proposals were helpful but figures were needed.
In other Leader speeches at the summit:
- US President Obama acknowledged that the US had been slow to act, but promised a "new era" of promoting clean energy and reducing carbon pollution
- The new Japanese Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama, pledged to reduce emissions by 25% by 2020 compared to the 1990 level, calling it the Hatoyama Initiative
- French President Nicolas Sarkozy called on leaders to meet again in mid-November ahead of the crucial Copenhagen conference
China and the US each account for about 20% of the world's greenhouse gas pollution from coal, natural gas and oil.
The European Union is responsible for 14%, followed by Russia and India with 5% each.
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