Subscription Center
Mar 13, 2009 08:48 PM | 3
President Obama and United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon saw eye to eye on fighting climate change when they met at the White House yesterday. Ban said that he and Obama agree that climate change is an “existential threat” to mankind, according to a U.N. press release. The leaders have high hopes for when the U.N. convenes in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December to work out a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, the 1992 international climate change treaty that expires in 2012.
Just over 50 days in office now, Obama has made clear his intentions to get the U.S. on better climate footing. Obama wants to institute a carbon cap-and-trade system, such as the one in practice by the European Union since 2005. This regulatory scheme sets a countrywide statutory limit, or “cap,” on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Companies then buy credits from the government that represent their portion of total emissions toward the cap. These credits are then sold amongst companies – the “trade” – creating a GHG credit marketplace. This system allows businesses who lower their emissions to profit from selling their credits to companies that need to up their allotted emissions – or face stiff financial penalties – thereby encouraging emissions-lowering practices.
Beyond cap-and-trade, generous tax breaks for and investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency are already included in the $787 stimulus package signed into law by Obama last month. The president has called for “five million green collar jobs” since the campaign trail, and looks set to encourage whatever practices help wean the U.S. from fossil fuels.
Secretary-General Ban is clearly pleased to see the U.S. step to the fore in promoting climate change awareness and mitigation efforts. Looking ahead to Copenhagen, Ban said: “With U.S. leadership, in partnership of the United Nations, we can and will reach a climate change deal that all nations can embrace,” according to the UN press release.
Image Credit: NASA
Tags:
obama,
kyoto protocol,
energy,
ban ki-moon
More News Blog:
Next: Obama names FDA chief, announces new food safety panel
Previous: Happy 3/14, also known as pi day
See what we're tweeting about
DNLee5 Suddenly feeling warm. Why? My fan isn't working. Look up, the powerlight to water heater is off. Another blackout #dispatchesDNLee
sciencegoddess So many exciting space events! May 31, a giant asteroid will be flying by Earth. http://t.co/cyokKwOJhy DNLee5 you look awesome!! :) @SuzieZUMO @arikia @maggiekb1
Deadline: Jul 25 2013
Reward: Varies
This challenge provides an opportunity for Solvers to build a web-based or mobile “app” to explore data relationships in scholarly conte
Deadline: Jul 30 2013
Reward: $100,000 USD
The Seeker desires a method for producing pseudoephedrine products in such a way that it will be extremely difficult for clandestine che
Powered By: 
YES! Send me a free issue of Scientific American with no obligation to continue the subscription. If I like it, I will be billed for the one-year subscription.
3 Comments
Add CommentIt is long past time that the US stepped up to the plate on this issue. We can only hope that the major oil companies aren't successful in their efforts to block Mr. Obama in his efforts to bring the US into the global effort to get us to a sustainable future.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI urge everyone in the scientific community to support their favorite organizations which are combating the oil industries efforts to sabotage progress in this area.
Eesh. That's a terrible headline. Sing kumbaya? Uy.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm still amazed we actually got to vote for a president who is not still mentally stuck in the 16th century. Say what you want about Obama, but imagine what president McCain would be saying right now. Or better yet... president Palin! Whew! Dodged a bullet on there didn't we...
It is great to see the US talking with its trade partners for a change instead of using their usual gun-boat policy.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this