In the wake of President Barack Obama’s speech on Monday, the media—including our own Kate and Sarah—have scurried to report on the implications, ramifications, and other -ications of the emissions issue. Good stuff, and important. But could we take a step back for just a moment?
Consider what your president said:
“America’s dependence on oil is one of the most serious threats that our nation has faced.”
“These urgent dangers to our national and economic security are compounded by the long-term threat of climate change, which if left unchecked could result in violent conflict, terrible storms, shrinking coastlines and irreversible catastrophe.”
“For the sake of our security, our economy and our planet, we must have the courage and commitment to change.”
“My administration will not deny facts, we will be guided by them.”
“To protect our climate and our collective security, we must call together a truly global coalition.”
“It’s time for America to lead, because this moment of peril must be turned into one of progress.”
And that was in just one speech. One calm, matter-of-fact, pragmatic speech—that happened to echo every point committed greens have been trying to make for a decade or more. Personally I think it should have been cause for a national day of celebration. But failing that, it’s OK to at least crack a smile.
Carl Levin (D-Mich.) [UPDATED]
Is the U.S. Chamber changing its tune on climate, or just its tone?
Comments
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JMG Posted 3:44 pm
28 Jan 2009
Our dependence on coal, on the other hand, means we are signing a suicide pact that will only kick in after we ourselves are mostly gone from the scene -- it will nail billions of our descendants though.
So far, his administration appears to be guided by the facts of political power more than the facts of physics, with the coal and agrofuels lobbies feeling happy about all the heat that dadburn ferrin oil is getting.
The 5% Project
Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay.
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