Dear Secretary of State Clinton,

I’m writing to express my disappointment about the lack of U.S. leadership at climate talks that took place over the past two weeks in Bonn, Germany.

Climate change is a preeminent issue of our time, and countries around the world are working toward a global agreement to solve this crisis. But if we’re going to achieve a fair and effective agreement, the United States must play a leadership role.

In Bonn, instead of living up to our responsibility as the world’s largest historic global warming polluter, negotiators under your direction failed to commit the U.S. to its fair share of pollution reductions (at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020) and to give needed support to developing countries as they transition to cleaner economies and address climate impacts.

Last November, then President-elect Obama said, “Any nation that’s willing to join the cause of combating climate change will have an ally in the United States of America.” It’s time to honor this commitment. The world is looking to our country for leadership in forging a strong and just agreement. Please provide that leadership.

Sincerely,