Fancy a piece of Obama?

In less than two weeks, US President Barack Obama will be in Beijing.

He was elected just over a year ago to a wave of optimism. This was the man that said: “Yes, we can.”

So why is he saying, “No, we can’t.” when it comes to solving climate change?

For the first time* tens of thousands of Chinese people are calling on the US president to show climate leadership.

We have created an online grid of the president’s face – with a surprise underneath -- and are inviting people to own a piece of Obama.

There are 50,000 pieces -- one person, one piece.

So once they are all clicked we have 50,000 people calling on Obama when he arrives in Beijing to show climate leadership.

Check it out for yourself here (Chinese language only).

Our “grab a piece of Obama” campaign, has only been going for a few days but it already has almost 6,000 supporters.

Wang Lu, a 25 year-old woman from Beijing is one of them.

We asked why she wanted a piece of Obama.

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to save the planet from climate change and so I joined this activity,” she told us.

“As far as I can see Obama has done nothing concrete to stop climate change so far. What he promises does not match with what he does. Science tells us we can stop climate change and Obama must use his influence and appeal to do this.”

How about if we really could give her a piece of Obama?

What would she say to him then?

“I’d say, a country’s greatness is not measured by how strong it is but how it can help the world solve problems. In the same way, an individual’s greatness is not measured by fine promises, but in whether they help others overcome obstacles. You must get together with other nations and work to solve this crisis.”

Scientists have concluded that to stop climate change the industrialised world must cut carbon dioxide emissions between 25 and 40 percent by 2020 (from 1990 levels).

How much is the US contemplating?

Four percent.

In just under a month, heads of state will meet in Copenhagen to discuss a global treaty on climate change.

We need leadership from Mr Obama. We need him to say: “Yes, I can.”

Fancy helping us?