The Hindu : News : U.S. not in a position to take lead on climate change: Ramesh

The U.S. is not in a position to play the “leadership role” in tackling climate change as the political and economic situation in the country is not in the most stable condition, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has said.

“The United States is going through a difficult financial time...the economy is not doing well...the politics is uncertain, there is no legislation in sight...executive action has not been forthcoming,” said Mr. Ramesh, following a Major Economies Forum (MEF) meeting in New York.

April 2009: Obama pledges US lead on climate change

PRAGUE (AFP) — President Barack Obama said Sunday the United States was ready to take the lead in tackling climate change, as EU leaders pushed him to follow their ambitious targets to combat global warming.

"To protect our planet, now is the time to change the way that we use energy," Obama told a crowd gathered at Prague Castle for his only public speech during his maiden tour of Europe.

"Together we must confront climate change by ending the world's dependency on fossil fuels by tapping the power from the sources of energy like the wind and the sun and calling upon all nations to do their part.

"And I pledge to you that in this global effort the US is now ready to lead."