Change in Command for the Commander in Chief

Thank you Alex. It is so true that sustainable businesses and economic revitalization can grow from the result of climate change legislation and action. we need dramatic action. Last year, Step It Up and activists everywhere called for 80% cut in carbon emissions by 2050, and now science reveals the situation is more drastic than we ever thought, and we need to cut ALL emissions, becoming climate neutral, by 2030. htttp://1Sky.org and http://350.org are also doing great work around the issue of climate change. Obama - please step it the eff up on this issue. Agree with Alex! (In fact, hire him as an adviser!)

With the beginning of a new administration, we have the opportunity to now address those issues which were marginalized by the previous administration - we have a new leader willing to listen to research and reason - and to take policy recommendations seriously from myriad interested groups.

In terms of climate change I think we’ll see a willingness to admit that we have a major problem on our hands as well as a solutions-oriented approach based on reality. With Obama’s commitment to job creation I think we’ll see initiatives to address our “behind the times” model on energy, transportation, and environment via the workforce.

I think we’ll also generally see this administration thinking not only about how they can do MORE for America but also how they (we?) can do it more EFFECTIVELY? This same motto will hopefully be applied in terms of how we structure new policies towards climate change.

I would hope that we’ll see a significant transfer of resources and support toward new alternative forms of energy (both in the public and private sector), particularly in light of the recent advances in storing solar power, as we as a nation realize that our past practices surrounding oil consumption have become antiquated.

I believe the inauguration will be a chance at rekindling the fire that erupted all around the world when Obama was elected on Nov. 4th. Our President-Elect will have the second most riveted audience he may have for years. I couldn’t have said it better than Alex, above. If Obama doesn’t grab the bull of climate change by the horns NOW, at the threshold of his presidency, it may be slow going to bring it to the forefront of our national consciousness. Humanity needs his voice NOW, to rally our economy towards a greener future, where our children can live. I just hope he realizes it.

President Elect Obama may be the 44th POTUS, but he’s the first one to face climate change as a real threat. A nod must be given to former President Carter who did a great deal to try and improve climate conditions before Global Warming was understood, but had his work undone almost immediately by Ronald Reagan, who pulled the plug on all of Carter’s climate initiatives. One of the reasons Reagan undid Carter’s work because the country wasn’t behind it, not in earnest. Reagan pulled all of the funding on mass transit research into high speed zero emission mag-lev trains and even removed the working solar panels Carter installed on the roof of the White House. The upcoming inauguration of Obama sends a signal that climate change is real and being pro-active about it is not only important and necessary, it’s a real concern of a real world leader who has the proven support of 63 million Americans behind him. We may all hope that President Elect Obama might serve two terms, but if he doesn’t, his nature, image, election and the way the world sees climate change may protect his initiatives from destruction by whomever may be 45 it it isn’t him. It’s really up to the United States to lead the way and this inauguration shows the world what leadership is about.

Let’s just assume that we can finally close the book on the debate over climate change. What’s still holding us back?

There are many hurdles of course, not the least of which is personal accountability. Understanding climate change is not enough unless we all take ownership of the issue. Big things need to happen from the top down to make a difference, but those things will only take hold if supported by our own choices.

I hope this Inauguration represents an opportunity for each of us to rise to this challenge…finally. Better late than never.