Obama & Jackson Hold Public Meetings Before Copenhagen

President Obama and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson held a series of important meetings with members of the American public before leaving for Copenhagen, Denmark to work on a follow up treaty to the Kyoto Protocol. The Center was invited to participate in these discussions and briefings.

Last week, President Obama sponsored a "Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth" at The White House that included a discussion on "The Innovation Agenda and Green Jobs of the Future." This discussion included a breakout group to discuss new ideas for creating green jobs through encouraging energy efficiency and investment in renewable technologies. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner moderated the discussion.

President Barack Obama met with former Vice President Al Gore at The White House on Monday to discuss Copenhagen. President Obama left on Wednesday to go to Oslo, Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The former vice president won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his work in combatting climate change.

On Monday, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced that greenhouse gases (GHGs) threaten the public health and welfare of the American people (Endangerment Finding). She made the announcement at briefings before the press and stakeholders at the EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

On Wednesday, President Obama met with environmental leaders and U.S. business leaders at The White Hosue to discuss climate change.

Administrator Jackson spoke at the U.N.-sponsored climate conference on Wednesday, December 9. The president will be at the summit of world leaders on Dec. 18.