President’s Climate Action Plan
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sclimateactionplan.pdf
The link above is a document that displays the Presidents or government Climate Action Plan. The plan is broken down into three sections:
- CUT CARBON POLLUTION IN AMERICA
- PREPARE THE UNITED STATES FOR THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
- LEAD INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO ADDRESS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
Throughout the rest of the blog I will depict each one of these sections. I was actually surprised to find a document that provided such detailed information on our Presidents vision. The fact that it was readily available for the public was also surprising.
- CUT CARBON POLLUTION IN AMERICA
The President seems determined to make his 2020 goal. He wants to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in range of 17% by 2020. I found it interesting that allot of the subject we have covered in prior blogs are also part of the Presidents plan. For example:
“Upgrading the country’s electric grid is critical to our efforts to make electricity more reliable, save consumers money on their energy bills, and promote clean energy sources. To advance these important goals, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum this month that directs federal agencies to streamline the siting, permitting and review process for transmission projects across federal, state, and tribal governments”.
We covered this scenario a few weeks back, I remember recommending an update to our energy grid. I’m glad to find out the President agrees with my personal opinion.
Two sections within this section of the document are reducing energy bills, and reducing emissions. Both sections I found to have valuable information. “Reducing Energy Bills”, focused on reducing HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons). Curbing these emissions will help reduce potent greenhouse gases. HFCs alone are expected to triple by 2030, and double by 2020.
“prohibiting certain uses of the most harmful chemical alternatives. In addition, the President has directed his Administration to purchase cleaner alternatives to HFCs whenever feasible and transition over time to equipment that uses safer and more sustainable alternatives”.
The government is focusing on reducing Methane Emissions.
“Methane currently accounts for roughly 9 percent of domestic greenhouse gas emissions and has a global warming potential that is more than 20 times greater than carbon dioxide. Notably, since 1990, methane emissions in the United States have decreased by 8 percent. This has occurred in part through partnerships with industry, both at home and abroad, in which we have demonstrated that we have the technology to deliver emissions reductions that benefit both our economy and the environment”.
To continue and achieve progress the plan calls for a “interagency methane strategy” and a “collaborative approach”.
- PREPARE THE UNITED STATES FOR THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
The government is planning to build a stronger infrastructure to deal with severe storms.
“Across America, states, cities, and communities are taking steps to protect themselves by updating building codes, adjusting the way they manage natural resources, investing in more resilient infrastructure, and planning for rapid recovery from damages that nonetheless occur. The federal government has an important role to play in supporting community-based preparedness and resilience efforts, establishing policies that promote preparedness, protecting critical infrastructure and public resources, supporting science and research germane to preparedness and resilience, and ensuring that federal operations and facilities continue to protect and serve citizens in a changing climate”.
Interestingly, I believe strengthening the infrastructure will reduce the costs and increase the safety when storms like “sandy” hit our shores.
- LEAD INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO ADDRESS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
As we all know in order for the world to reduce the overall emissions, multiple nations need to align and show sincere effort. In this written section that’s exactly what the President talks about.
“From the outset, the Obama Administration has sought to intensify bilateral climate cooperation with key major emerging economies, through initiatives like the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center, the U.S.-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy, and the Strategic Energy Dialogue with Brazil”.
Because these economies are still emerging, we need to ensure they are environmentally aware and conscious.
The link below displays a 45-minute speech our President said in regards to climate change. President Obama seems sincere with his efforts of reducing emissions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMT87OP21mo
I’d love to hear your opinion on the matter, do you believe:
1.) Nations will collaborate in reducing emissions?
2.) President Obamas plan will significantly reduce emissions long-term?
References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMT87OP21mo
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sclimateactionplan.pdf