In a speech to the UN on Tuesday, President Obama discussed the framework for a global solution to climate change. He spoke of America's energy accomplishments under his administration: Investments in green energy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, new fuel standards for vehicles, and House passage of a cap-and-trade bill. But still, the heavy lifting lies ahead.

Many hoped this speech, and the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Conference of 2009, would lead to an International climate treaty to bring all countries together around the common goal of creating a greener plant. However, as the President spoke, and the day went on, that development looked less likely. It now looks as though we will see a piecemeal global solution in which each country offers its own specific targets towards which it will work.

This approach will lead to ineffective international climate policy and will allow nations to justify their own inaction by hiding behind the inaction of others. However if this is the political reality, the United States must do our job as world leaders and set the path for change.

China has committed to "endeavor to cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by a notable margin by 2020 from the 2005 level." India plans a reduction of 20% by 2020. But Japan has taken the most serious and swift action on this issue by pledging to reduce their emissions by 25% by 2020. This is the largest pledge to cut carbon by a major economic power and it is a model that the United States should sign on to.

By adding our country's weight, and significant carbon footprint, to this effort, we will be signaling a clear shift in U.S. environmental policy from the Bush years. It will tell the world that we are in this for real, and are no longer content to hide behind soft targets and pseudo promises. We hope that Congress will take up this plan, and lead the global fight against climate change. Change on this issue can only be achieved through action, and it's time for the U.S. to lead.

-- Newell for Congress Campaign