Local group watching closely climate conference

195 countries will be represented at summit in Paris

Glen Jenkins is hoping to see the U.S. out in front.

Jenkins, co-chair of the La Crosse chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby, is watching intently the global climate change conference that started this week in Paris. Jenkins says, as the world’s biggest economy and one of its biggest polluters, the U.S. has a key role in the summit, but every other country needs to play a part, as well

“We all need to work together,” Jenkins said. “This is a global problem. It’s not a United States problem.”

Leaders from 150 nations and delegates from 195 countries overall are attending the summit.

The primary goal is to reach a legally binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the point where the increase in global temperature can be limited to just 2 degrees Celsius.