At the international climate summit, just underway in Copenhagen, world leaders have a chance to reach agreement on a strategy to protect the earth’s atmosphere.

Many see it as a hopeful sign that President Barack Obama changed his travel plans so that he can attend the summit with other world leaders. A spokesman said the president intends to do all he can to encourage positive change.

Other nations have already made commitments toward reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are widely believed to be responsible for accelerating climate change. Japan has pledged to cut emissions by 25 percent and Norway by 40 percent.

China intends to pursue solar and wind power for 15 percent of its energy, and aims to limit its fast-growing output of carbon emissions. Brazil said it would cut back deforestation in the Amazon basin by 80 percent.

The U.S. Congress, meanwhile, is in the midst of a political struggle over legislation aiming to reduce emissions by 17 percent in the next decade. Last week 20 congressional Republicans cautioned Obama not to make any promises in Copenhagen, arguing that only Congress is empowered to commit the U.S. to such a goal.

It’s true that congressional approval is essential to fully implement rules and policies aimed at reducing the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But the world will be looking to the U.S. president for a willingness to take a stand for the reduction of greenhouse gases.

What the world is looking for at Copenhagen is not legislation but leadership.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com or City Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski at kristenm@journaltribune.com.