White House, Senate Raise Hopes for Pro-Poor Climate Treaty

COPENHAGEN (December 6, 2009) - A shift in President Obama's plans for the U.N. Climate Change Conference and the introduction of a promising bill in the Senate are both signs that the U.S. will show strong leadership during international treaty negotiations, the poverty-fighting group CARE said on the eve of the conference.

Rather than coming to Copenhagen on Wednesday, Obama now plans to attend on Dec. 18 -- the conference's last scheduled day – along with at least 90 other heads of state. The White House cited ''progress'' and ''momentum'' of negotiations in announcing the change Friday. It said the U.S. will pay its fair share to help poor populations adapt to climate change and recognized the need to address ''longer term'' adaptation financing needs in developing countries.

''This is a really positive sign that there's real commitment to a successful result here,'' said Christina Chan, a CARE senior policy analyst, said from Copenhagen. ''But it's not enough. We need a fair deal that not only addresses the needs and rights of the most vulnerable people but also ensures their active and meaningful participation at all levels of decision-making.''

The White House announcement comes on the heels of the International Climate Change Investment Act of 2009, introduced Thursday by Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. CARE applauds the bill.

''The bill would help poor people around the world, the majority of whom are women, adapt to the consequences of climate change, consequences not of their making'', said JoDee Winterhof, CARE's vice president for policy and advocacy. ''We commend Senator Kerry on his leadership in helping to reach global solutions to the critical problems of climate change.''

The legislation is co-sponsored by Sens. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-MD.), Ted Kaufman (D-Del.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). It can be viewed at http://www.kerry.senate.gov/.

ABOUT CARE:

Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting the root causes of poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Working in 72 countries, women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve education, health and economic opportunity. Learn more at www.care.org.