President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize to combat manmade climate change??

President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize due to his efforts to combat manmade climate change. The citation in part says, “Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting.” However, like much of the rest of the citation, the Nobel Committee seems to pin the statement on potential rather than action on the part of the United States to combat climate change.

Today at the U.N. climate talks in Bangkok, Thailand the United States and other developed nations were roundly criticized for their lack of action as little progress was made. Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy for the Union of Concerned Scientists, said, "The developing nations are justifiably angry at the lack of progress, about the lack of credible offers by the United States, by the European Union and by Japan." Underlining the frustration, the statement issued by the union used the headline, “U.S. Stance Hinders Progress at Bangkok Climate Talks.”

The president after taking office has initiated actions on climate change and anthropogenic global warming but actual progress to combat climate change has not been substantial. The House of Representatives has passed cap and trade legislation and the Senate is deliberating its own version. However,USA role on legal cut of emissions is needed as USA is big polluter and it is highly unlikely Obama will have a bill to sign before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.

In a statement given in the Rose Garden, President Obama acknowledged the challenges ahead to enact climate change legislation. “We cannot accept the growing threat posed by climate change, which could forever damage the world that we pass on to our children -- sowing conflict and famine; destroying coastlines and emptying cities. And that's why all nations must now accept their share of responsibility for transforming the way that we use energy.”

Greenpeace said “If allowed to go unchecked, climate change will wreak havoc on our societies - spurring mass migration, mass starvation and mass extinction. It will spark conflicts worldwide.” The group urged the president to be a “true Nobel Peace Laureate.”

Friends of the Earth said in statement that. “We have concerns though, that the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded President Obama this award on the basis of expectations that have not yet been met,”