President Barack Obama urged the world to take immediate action against global warming during a U.N. summit, although he did not present any new ideas to revive discussions on a climate agreement. Chinese President Hu Jintau also committed to reducing his country's carbon intensity. Obama emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that failure to address the issue could lead to irreversible consequences for future generations. He stressed that time is running out to combat climate change. Activists were optimistic that the United States and China would help push forward progress just 2-1/2 months before representatives from 190 nations meet in Copenhagen with the goal of finalizing a deal to combat climate change. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who organized the meeting, expressed concern that discussions were not advancing quickly enough. Ban emphasized the importance of reaching a comprehensive agreement in Copenhagen, stating that failing to do so would be morally unacceptable, economically short-sighted, and politically unwise. He stressed the interconnectedness of global issues, highlighting the lessons learned from the crises of the past year. Negotiations leading up to the December 7-18 meeting have caused disagreements between developed and developing countries regarding how emissions reductions should be distributed. Poorer nations are urging wealthier countries to provide significant funding annually to assist with adapting to climate change. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso expressed concern that the talks are close to a standstill and could collapse in a hostile manner. Obama and Hu, who are set to have a one-on-one meeting following the summit, may be able to help resolve the deadlock. If China were to take proactive steps to reduce emissions, it could potentially alleviate criticism from U.S. lawmakers who are hesitant to commit to emissions cuts without proof of Beijing's actions. Obama's efforts to decrease U.S. emissions through legislative actions have been less prominent compared to his focus on healthcare reform. However, he stated in his speech that in the past eight months, the United States has made more progress in reducing carbon pollution than ever before.