So this time, unlike in his Inaugural address, Obama will apparently announce a "vision" that includes actual "steps" whereby the U.S. will "lead" in the global climate change fight. And apparently, the steps will be by way of executive actions. See the video below for the set-up for tomorrow's big speech at Georgetown University. This includes a reduction in "carbon pollution," as any serious "stepping" must. The president could really make news if tomorrow's speech included, among other solid, practical steps, a line something like: "I therefore have instructed the State Department not to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline."
A lot of people are paying attention. I'm going to provide some comments from just a few of them, beginning with Russ Blinch at Huffington
Is the United States facing another Sputnik moment and will it rise to the challenge?
In 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the world's first earth orbiting satellite, touching off a tsunami of concerns that the Communists were winning the space race. But the United States pulled together as a nation with big investments in its future that eventually sparked technological advances, including the Internet.
President Barack Obama is set to announce new measures on Tuesday to battle climate change in what many are hoping will be a big, broad plan that will stand as his legacy for his final years in office.
In part, Blinch is responding to this White House announcement:
On Tuesday afternoon, President Obama will … lay out his vision for the steps we need to take to prepare our country for the impacts of climate change and lead the global effort to fight it. In the video below, he describes why this is the time to take action.
Back to Blinch:
Obama will no doubt outline how the planet is in crisis from global warming, which it is. But he also needs to sell Americans on how tough new standards for carbon polluters can lead to innovation in the broader economy. And in his Sputnik moment, he needs to say the United States risks falling behind its modern-day competitor, China, if it does not act.
Another thought, this from Andy Rowell at Price of Oil.
Climate Action Means Ditching 'All of the Above'
Barack Obama tweeted on Saturday that 'we owe it to our kids to do something about climate change.' …
But despite the positive rhetoric, political action to tackle climate change has been limited due to the gridlock in Washington with open hostility to climate policies from the Republicans.
Due to this, the US media are reporting that Obama is intending to introduce a series of executive actions, which do not need Congress approval to be made into law. These measures will reportedly include tighter regulation of coal-fired power plants, increased energy efficiency standards and the promotion of renewable energy on public lands.
Rowell then points to Keystone XL.
This is now seen by millions in the US and abroad as the true litmus test of Obama's stance on climate. Approve the pipeline and all his positive rhetoric counts for nothing – but by rejecting it, the President would send a powerful message that we cannot afford to burn the highly polluting tar sands.
Just as important, Rowell argues, is
… moving away from Obama's 'All of the Above' energy plan, which advocates a continued use of fossil fuels. …
Tomorrow the President clearly wants to show climate leadership. His intervention is welcome, but this time he must not fluff his lines. And that means no more 'All of the Above', as well as No KXL.
At the San Francisco Chronicle, Joe Garofoli has a report about San Francisco billionaire and Obama supporter Tom Steyer, who announced efforts to up the climate change pressure on the president. The project is called "We Love Our Lands," and will run "at least ten weeks," primarily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and at some point Change.org.
It is an argument aimed squarely at Obama supporters who are disappointed that he hasn't done more on climate change.
But Steyer told The Chronicle that this campaign won't be about Obama-bashing. Remember, Steyer held a fundraiser for Obama at his house. Steyer understands that the President is hesitant to move quickly because he thinks that climate change doesn't poll well and that the overall 'politics of this are tough.'
I've written about that fundraiser comment before, in Obama Says Environmental Politics Are "Tough," But a Backyard Covered in Crude Oil is Tougher.
Anyway, Steyer's approach is characterized by Garofoli as "all carrots and no stick," quoting Steyer as saying:
'We think we're supporting the President in doing what he wants to do but finds difficult. … We think there's a chance for him to be an absolute hero here. Keystone is really important in that context, but obviously it's not the only thing.'
From a perhaps unexpected direction, another relevant story, from John Cushman at Inside Climate News: Military Report: America Has 'Misguided' Fixation With Domestic Drilling:
The report, released quietly this month, says climate change is a bigger national security threat than the country's dependence on foreign oil.
Released by the U.S. Center for Naval Analyses and the London-based Royal United Services Institute, the report
… recommends putting more effort into fighting global warming than securing reliable supplies of fossil fuels.
The authors call the habitual American fixation on winning energy independence through expanded North American production of oil and natural gas 'misguided.'
Finally, links to a few stories about what's happening in North American backyards, because you know, that's the context that really matters for most of us: EcoWatch Inside Climate News, "With Unusual Speed Officials Slap Exxon with Oil Spill Lawsuit. Why?"
Source:
http://www.taylormarsh.com/blog/2013/06/obama-to-announce-vision-to-lead-global-climate-change-fight-video/
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