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About the USA
About the USA is a digital collection of background resources on American society, culture, and political processes. In addition to featuring selected websites, it provides access to documents in full text format (E-Texts) on topics ranging from the history of German-American relations, government and politics to travel, holidays and sports. About the USA is maintained by the Information Resource Centers/U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany. usa.usembassy.de
In Focus: U.S. Participation in COP-15
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President Obama will be attending the COP15 Conference, and he will take with him an emissions reduction target to drive progress toward a comprehensive and operational Copenhagen accord.
Climate Change is one of the greatest threats facing our planet, and the United States is taking significant action to meet this challenge. Under President Obama, the U.S. has done more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than ever before, and is demonstrating its commitment to lead through robust domestic action including historic investments in clean energy, stringent vehicle and appliance efficiency standards, and comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation that is making its way through Congress. The United States has taken dramatic steps to change the way we use energy. Sharp increases in automobile fuel efficiency have been mandated. Our economic stimulus package includes more than $80 billion in clean energy investments designed not only to jump-start the economy, but also to build the clean energy jobs of tomorrow. The passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act in the House of Representatives earlier this year signals America's commitment to preventing climate change and building a global clean energy economy. Currently, the Senate is reviewing similar legislation. In terms of climate and the environment, this has been the most productive 10 months in our country's history.
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
has listed the polar bear as a threa- tened species under the Endanger- ed Species Act. The primary threat to polar bears’ survival is the de- crease of sea ice coverage due to climate change. (Steve Hillebrand/ USFWS) |
But no nation can solve this crisis on its own. Climate change is a global challenge that demands a global solution. The U.S. is engaging allies and partners around the world to forge the necessary international response and to achieve a successful outcome at the UNFCCC conference in Copenhagen.
Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern will lead the U.S. delegation during the two-week conference. Other U.S. departments and agencies will join the Department of State on the delegation, including the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Interior, Transportation, and Treasury; the U.S. Agency for International Development; the Environmental Protection Agency; the U.S. Trade Representative; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The U.S. delegation will also include officials from the National Security Council and the White House Council on Environmental Quality; and Members of Congress.
Ultimately, a successful international climate agreement must complement and promote sustainable development by moving the world to a low-carbon, clean energy future that provides all nations the opportunity to grow.
Source: America.gov
Last updated: December 4, 2009
