In the News: Obama Administration Announces a Plan to Address Climate Change
Yesterday, June 25th, President Obama unveiled a new plan to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions, getting people prepared for the changes that have already occurred, and becoming a leader internationally. Through the new plan President Obama hopes to make good on the goal he announced to the United Nations in 2009 – that by 2020 the amount of carbon dioxide emissions our country gives off will be at least 17% lower than our emissions from 2005.
Steps to Reduce Carbon Emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will create new carbon pollution standards for power plants.
By 2020 there should be enough wind and solar plants to power over 6 million homes.
The Better Building Challenge will be expanded to help buildings become 20% more energy efficient by 2020.
The goal is to have cut carbon pollution by 3 billion metric tons by 2030.
New fuel economy standards will be developed for heavy-duty vehicles.
Dealing with Current and Expected Impacts of Climate Change
Hospitals will be made more sustainable and resilient.
New standards for roads will ensure they are built above flood level.
Farmers will be informed about ways to better prepare for droughts or wildfires through a National Drought Resilience Partnership.
Leaders at all levels of government will be given the tools and information they need to be best prepared for a changing climate.
Leadership on an International Level
Expand upon and create new international initiatives to fight climate change.
The U.S. will end support of public financing of coal-fired plants overseas and will instead support public funding of clean energy.
Expand upon abilities to plan for and respond to climate change.
The President stated that the motivation behind the new plan is to ensure that we do not leave behind a polluted and damaged planet for future generations. Carbon dioxide emissions cause issues in many aspects of our lives. Extreme weather patterns that we have seen recently show us how pollution has already begun to affect our climate.
The plan states that,
“while no single step can reverse the effects of climate change, we have a moral obligation to act on behalf of future generations. Climate change represents one of the major challenges of the 21st century, but as a nation of innovators, we can and will meet this challenge in a way that advances our economy, our environment, and our public health all at the same time.”
This new announcement, as well as the Department of Energy’s plan to invest in energy-efficient lighting announced at the beginning of the month, show that the United States government is ready to start taking environmental matters seriously. These announcements are promising signs of what’s to come as the U.S. becomes a leader in clean energy throughout the world.
Click here for a link to the full plan.