Breaking: Obama Taped Greeting for Governors Global Climate Summit

I'm in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton, waiting for Governor Schwarzenegger to deliver opening remarks to kick off the Governors Global Climate Summit. The air-conditioning is cranked way up, the room frigid. And I just got an e-mail with text of the taped remarks President-elect Barack Obama will deliver as a surprise to the gathering.

They've handed out earpieces to all of us so we can hear translations of remarks from attending foreign dignitaries -- including a high level delegation from the Chinese government. Obama's remarks reprise many of things we've heard him say on the campaign trail. But here's a precious nugget for the international community rich in symbolism of the change that's coming:

Let me also say a special word to the delegates from around the world who will gather at Poland next month: your work is vital to the planet. While I won’t be President at the time of your meeting and while the United States has only one President at a time, I’ve asked Members of Congress who are attending the conference as observers to report back to me on what they learn there.

And once I take office, you can be sure that the United States will once again engage vigorously in these negotiations, and help lead the world toward a new era of global cooperation on climate change.

The hosts of the Summit include Governors of states who have been at the forefront of the climate debate: Governors Rod Blagojevich (IL), Charlie Crist (FL), Jim Doyle (WI), Arnold Schwarzenegger (CA) and Kathleen Sebelius (KS) as well as representatives of approximately 22 other states; government officials from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, the UK and others.

UPDATE:

President-elect Obama's message, just broadcast to this conference, got a standing ovation. Here were his final words:

Stopping climate change won’t be easy. It won’t happen overnight. But I promise you this: When I am President, any governor who’s willing to promote clean energy will have a partner in the White House. Any company that’s willing to invest in clean energy will have an ally in Washington. And any nation that’s willing to join the cause of combating climate change will have an ally in the United States of America. Thank you.

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