Grist caught up with Tom Friedman, New York Times columnist and author of the recent book Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution -- and How It Can Renew America, after his appearance on the "Green Recovery" panel at the Center for American Progress on Monday to chat about exactly that.
His latest book calls for green economic stimulus, but for Friedman, it's not just about economic recovery -- it's also about recovering America's leadership role in the world, and keeping the country secure:
"I'm not going to Congress and saying 'Would it be OK if we planted a couple more trees?' This is about our power. I'm in your face about it," said Friedman. "I think it's not just about electric power, I think it's about national power -- not power so we can stomp all over the rest of the world, but power so we can actually be where we need to be as a country, to lead the world they way we need to lead the world and also to pass on what we need to pass on for the next generation."
Friedman also expressed hope that President-elect Obama is on board with the idea that a new energy economy can single-handedly address climate, economic, energy, and security concerns. In a September interview with NPR, Friedman said that though he thinks Obama says all the right words on energy and climate policy, he didn't feel like it was central to his agenda. He gave Obama "high marks for understanding, but not high marks for passion or talking about what we need to do." But, he says, all evidence so far post-election points to his growing desire to lay out an agenda that focuses heavily on these issues.
"I think honestly he's gotten more passionate about it. I hear the President-elect talking about green issues, climate change, green stimulus, green investment, with not only more passion, but with more regularity," said Friedman. "It's not just for this audience or that audience. He's making it part of every speech, and I'm excited about that. I already feel the vibes from that. Imagine when he takes over the Oval Office."
Though he said he wants to see Obama's concrete plans before he pronounces him on the right track, he noted that simple passion from the president on this issue will also raise its stature on down the chain of command. "You just can't underestimate the power of the bully pulpit of the presidency. And to have a president who will make this part of his set speech, and then all his deputies will feel comfortable doing that. And that will filter down, and you'll see mayors and city council people say that 'As president Obama says ...,'" he said. "We shouldn't underestimate that. We're in for a sea change."
Obama headed to Copenhagen, sets the bar for success
‘Copenhagen Diagnosis’ offers a grim update to the IPCC’s climate science
Comments
View as Threaded
Biomusicologist Posted 3:58 am
02 Dec 2008
....before this idiotic blowhard goes away?
Please Grist....spare us. I discontinued my subscription to the NYT because I couldn't stomach supporting the likes of David Brooks, Bill Kristol, and "another six months" Friedman. Now must I unsubscribe to the Daily Grist in order to avoid Friedman's ugly mug?
Permalink
christophersj Posted 1:24 pm
02 Dec 2008
Say what you will about his Iraq columns in the beginning of the war, Friedman has gone way, way out of his way to bring an understanding of the environment and global warming to the masses. Many of these masses wouldn't give you or I the time of day.
Freidman is an ally who has the ear of those you do not.
You can poo-poo the resources of Friedman, Wal-Mart, and other easy targets (I have problems with them to), but we have to recognize where the heavy tools are for turning the rock of our society over. Go ahead, stay a purist, see how how much impact it has on your Hummer owning neighbors down the street.
Permalink
Biodiversivist Posted 2:10 pm
02 Dec 2008
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world
Permalink
amazingdrx Posted 3:35 pm
02 Dec 2008
Use the powerful leverage of oil demand reduction, relentlessly proceeding incrementally a few percent per year, year after year, there's the power to revive our national confidence. Our factories supplying the plugin hybrid cars and energy devices to do that.
Win the GHG climate change battle and get the economy out of the duuuhbya ditch, the way we won WW II. Production: government contracts specifying the technological parameters of plugin hybrids, solar cogeneration panels, ground source heating/cooling systems, and smart grid devices to hook it all up.
Contracts for millions of these devices every year, payed for by withdrawing subsidies for the oil and coal industries.
That'll end a depression. Better than a bail out or stimulus, it is revenue neutral. No new debt!
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
Permalink
christophersj Posted 3:21 am
03 Dec 2008
-Christopher
Permalink
David Roberts Posted 3:32 am
03 Dec 2008
grist.org
Permalink
Biomusicologist Posted 4:51 am
03 Dec 2008
It isn't just about his columns at the beginning of the war -- he's supported raining bombs on peoples heads throughout. And I doubt he has any "impact" on my Hummer owning neighbors either. Nothing has an impact on those people other than high gas prices.
He's a moron. His columns would be laughable if they weren't so pathetic and tired.
If the goal is to turn over the "heavy rock" of society, then Friedman is certainly not the right tool for the job. He's just a tool...period.
Permalink
christophersj Posted 1:08 pm
03 Dec 2008
Lemme guess -- advice #1 is "spend more than $99 on a video camera."
Uh, heh, yeah, that would be the first. And then we would move on to other things with lighting, sound, and composition.
Hey, we all start somewhere, but practice makes perfect and I want to see Grist shine.
I'm a documentary editor and would love to help if you guys need it.
Permalink
christophersj Posted 1:19 pm
03 Dec 2008
Its already happening. You don't have to like it, though.
Did you really think this transition would happen with just us peaceniks at the wheel?
Speed is paramount and its time to use the "tools" at hand. I hung up my chastity belt a couple of years ago.
Now my conservative relatives have more than 50%-70% of their homes running on CFLs which they purchased from Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart and I did that TOGETHER.
Permalink
amazingdrx Posted 3:25 pm
03 Dec 2008
The main thing, other than quality, is to review reruns from the TV classic, the first eco-sitcom, "Green Acers". The eposide in which Farmer Douglass' farm is recruited for an agriculture department film, specifically.
In preparing for his role, Douglass attends the "Haney School of Acting". Substituting for a movie camera was a box with a tomato can simulating the lens end.
Rule number one: Do not look into the tomato can.
Rule number 2: Under act.
This is all one needs to know. Hehey.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
Permalink