Dr. Maccoby participates in a Weekly Forum on Washington Post.com called "On Leadership". I am compiling all of his responses to the weekly questions here.
|
DATE: August 5, 2010 Carbon and climate change: Why are we behind? Now that even China has put a price on carbon emissions, the U.S. is the only major economy yet to take action on global warming. Why does this issue seem to defy political leadership? Who, in your opinion, is MOST responsible for the leadership failure--President Obama and Senate leaders for not forcing a deal? Republicans unwilling to consider anything that might raise energy prices? Coal and oil state Democrats? Republican moderates who bowed to conservative pressure? |
Even without legislation, Obama is leading on energy
Although President Obama has failed to break through the Senate gridlock on environmental legislation, he should be credited for leading action to build a clean and secure energy future for America.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act made a $90 billion beginning, creating jobs to make homes and businesses more energy efficient, investing in renewable energy and modernizing the electrical grid. The Departments of Defense and Energy recently announced a partnership to realize a vision of a safe, secure energy future. The DOD will test innovations in clean energy and move those that work to the marketplace.
The President recognizes that our national security depends on reducing our energy vulnerabilities, such as the grid and our dependence on Mid-East oil. Although the oil and coal industries have succeeded in buying off senators and scaring the public that "cap and trade" will destroy jobs and raise taxes, the EPA has pushed forward to ban the worst polluting emissions.
Given fierce opposition, Obama's success in leading Congress to pass historic legislation in healthcare and financial regulation contradicts the rap that he has failed as a leader. And lets give him credit for wielding DOD, DOE and EPA to lay the foundations of a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy future for this country.
| TMG Home | PTWC | Articles | Books | Contact Info | Comments |
This web site is being maintained by Maria