A Dramatic One-Two Punch on Climate Changeby: gradysdadMon Jan 26, 2009 at 13:34:09 PM EST |
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(Not strictly NH news, but considering how many states surrounding us this impacts, definitely a breath of fresh air. - promoted by Dean Barker) Today, President Obama showed us what we can expect from his Administration on Climate Change issues. This morning the President signed a Memorandum requesting that the EPA take a second look at a waiver sought by the State of California to have tougher fuel-efficiency standards than what is required by federal law. A video of the President's comments may be found here. Obama told a White House gathering "America will not be held hostage to dwindling resources." He said that the government must work with the states -- not against them -- on tougher fuel standards for cars and trucks. Already, we hear dissent from the auto industry: "I am fearful that today's action will begin the process of setting the American auto industry back even further," replied Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, in a written statement. "The federal government should not be piling on an industry already hurting in a time like this." |
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Then this afternoon, undeterred, our new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, with the President's support and encouragement, named a special envoy, Todd Stern, for Climate Change.
Stern is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, focusing on climate change and environmental issues. Stern's appointment adds urgency to President Obama's and Secretary of State Clinton's promise to make climate change a foreign policy priority. These actions on the part of our new leaders signal to us and the world that they will not back down on such important issues like preserving our environment despite what has to be enormous pressure from the auto and other industry in this time of economic recession. No more excuses. It is a matter of national security. Now we get what we voted for! The first week in office and they are already hitting on full cylinders. |