In Brussels on Friday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged an audience to see the opportunity in crises, emphasizing the chance to rebuild economies in a more environmentally friendly and energy efficient way. She also criticized the use of energy as a political tool, particularly in light of Russia's threat to halt gas exports to the EU via Ukraine. Clinton spoke to young Europeans at the European Parliament, urging them to take advantage of the global economic turmoil to make a positive impact on climate change and energy security. Europe views the United States as a key partner in climate talks, especially after President Barack Obama's commitment to addressing climate change. While Europe has plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, Obama has proposed a shift towards renewable energy and a cap and trade system for CO2 emissions. However, with numerous countries facing a severe recession, there are doubts about whether businesses can gather the necessary funds to reduce carbon emissions. Clinton, during her first trip to Europe as secretary of state, criticized the United States for failing to fulfill its obligations, stating that this is an opportune moment to show a commitment to addressing the issue. Many politicians believe that the economic crisis, energy security concerns, and climate change can all be addressed through a "New Green Deal," which would replace high-carbon infrastructure with green alternatives and create jobs. Clinton emphasized the need to address both energy security and climate change simultaneously. She criticized the use of energy as a political weapon, expressing concerns similar to those in Europe following disputes between Russia and Ukraine affecting EU supplies. She stated that using energy as a means of intimidation is not conducive to a more efficient energy system. Clinton is scheduled to have dinner with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva to improve relations following strained ties during Bush's presidency. The recent reduction in Russian gas exports in January resulted in the shutdown of various facilities in Eastern Europe and left many households without heating. A potential conflict between Ukraine and Russia was avoided on Thursday when Gazprom announced that Ukraine had resolved the payment issue. However, European leaders were concerned about the threat of supply cuts by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.