Climate Change Timetable Slips as Obama Backtracks on 2008 Deadline
Campaign pledge to quickly pass laws to cut emissions faltering in the first weeks of his presidency
Barack Obama has been forced to slow down early legislation to reduce the CO2 emissions that cause global warming, a key green objective of his presidency.
Officials conceded that Congress is unlikely to pass such legislation by the end of 2009, a delay that could hurt efforts to reach a global treaty at the climate change conference in Copenhagen this December.
It also frustrates hopes that last week's huge infusion of green investment in the $787bn (PS546bn) economic rescue plan would give momentum to efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Presidential staff say America remains determined to play a leadership role at the climate talks in Copenhagen, but downplay prospects of taking steps to curb its own carbon emissions first.
"What is necessary is for us to demonstrate some leadership," Nancy Sutley, the chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said. She brushed aside the idea that climate change legislation would be seen as evidence of leadership. "I wouldn't comment on whether that is the only thing that would show leadership. It is still early on," she said.
Sutley spoke to reporters on Monday after a speech at a new centre on the law and climate change at Georgetown University in Washington DC. The White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs, also indicated on Monday that Obama was easing up on his timetable for climate legislation.
He told reporters the president would support moves by Congress to act on global warming "whether that's this year or next year".
The shift appeared to be an attempt to downplay expectations for further dramatic action on the environment. It was also testimony to deep Republican resistance to the White House.
Obama's early moves on the environment - and the huge green investment in last week's economic rescue package - had raised expectations for further green legislation.
American environmentalists had routinely described the economic rescue plan as a "down payment" on a new green economy, that would need to be followed up if its potential were not squandered. Legislation to reduce CO2 emissions was seen as a crucial part of that follow-up.
Environment ministers also believe the US would be on a better footing at the Copenhagen conference to press for action from other big polluters, such as China and India, if it could show it was addressing the same problems at home.
Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives had promised legislation on CO2 reductions by the end of May. The Senate is operating on a longer time scale - though the Democratic leadership too has promised to introduce legislation before Copenhagen.
But the White House now evidently believes that both those schedules are unrealistic after the wrangling in Congress over the economic rescue plan.
The rescue plan ran into concerted Republican opposition, preventing Obama from making good on an election promise to end partisan bickering in Washington.
The White House is still trying to build political support for its green agenda. Governors who gathered at their annual meeting in Washington last weekend were briefed by the Obama green team.
Obama also told the governors he supported a cap and trade regime, the Washington governor, Christine Gregoire, said. But he said it would be harder to get such legislation through Congress amid the rows over the economic rescue plan.
"The president said it nicely: 'That as complex as the stimulus package has been, cap and trade will become as well'," Gregoire said.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Barack Obama has been forced to slow down early legislation to reduce the CO2 emissions that cause global warming, a key green objective of his presidency.
Officials conceded that Congress is unlikely to pass such legislation by the end of 2009, a delay that could hurt efforts to reach a global treaty at the climate change conference in Copenhagen this December.
It also frustrates hopes that last week's huge infusion of green investment in the $787bn (PS546bn) economic rescue plan would give momentum to efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Presidential staff say America remains determined to play a leadership role at the climate talks in Copenhagen, but downplay prospects of taking steps to curb its own carbon emissions first.
"What is necessary is for us to demonstrate some leadership," Nancy Sutley, the chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said. She brushed aside the idea that climate change legislation would be seen as evidence of leadership. "I wouldn't comment on whether that is the only thing that would show leadership. It is still early on," she said.
Sutley spoke to reporters on Monday after a speech at a new centre on the law and climate change at Georgetown University in Washington DC. The White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs, also indicated on Monday that Obama was easing up on his timetable for climate legislation.
He told reporters the president would support moves by Congress to act on global warming "whether that's this year or next year".
The shift appeared to be an attempt to downplay expectations for further dramatic action on the environment. It was also testimony to deep Republican resistance to the White House.
Obama's early moves on the environment - and the huge green investment in last week's economic rescue package - had raised expectations for further green legislation.
American environmentalists had routinely described the economic rescue plan as a "down payment" on a new green economy, that would need to be followed up if its potential were not squandered. Legislation to reduce CO2 emissions was seen as a crucial part of that follow-up.
Environment ministers also believe the US would be on a better footing at the Copenhagen conference to press for action from other big polluters, such as China and India, if it could show it was addressing the same problems at home.
Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives had promised legislation on CO2 reductions by the end of May. The Senate is operating on a longer time scale - though the Democratic leadership too has promised to introduce legislation before Copenhagen.
But the White House now evidently believes that both those schedules are unrealistic after the wrangling in Congress over the economic rescue plan.
The rescue plan ran into concerted Republican opposition, preventing Obama from making good on an election promise to end partisan bickering in Washington.
The White House is still trying to build political support for its green agenda. Governors who gathered at their annual meeting in Washington last weekend were briefed by the Obama green team.
Obama also told the governors he supported a cap and trade regime, the Washington governor, Christine Gregoire, said. But he said it would be harder to get such legislation through Congress amid the rows over the economic rescue plan.
"The president said it nicely: 'That as complex as the stimulus package has been, cap and trade will become as well'," Gregoire said.
Barack Obama has been forced to slow down early legislation to reduce the CO2 emissions that cause global warming, a key green objective of his presidency.
Officials conceded that Congress is unlikely to pass such legislation by the end of 2009, a delay that could hurt efforts to reach a global treaty at the climate change conference in Copenhagen this December.
It also frustrates hopes that last week's huge infusion of green investment in the $787bn (PS546bn) economic rescue plan would give momentum to efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Presidential staff say America remains determined to play a leadership role at the climate talks in Copenhagen, but downplay prospects of taking steps to curb its own carbon emissions first.
"What is necessary is for us to demonstrate some leadership," Nancy Sutley, the chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said. She brushed aside the idea that climate change legislation would be seen as evidence of leadership. "I wouldn't comment on whether that is the only thing that would show leadership. It is still early on," she said.
Sutley spoke to reporters on Monday after a speech at a new centre on the law and climate change at Georgetown University in Washington DC. The White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs, also indicated on Monday that Obama was easing up on his timetable for climate legislation.
He told reporters the president would support moves by Congress to act on global warming "whether that's this year or next year".
The shift appeared to be an attempt to downplay expectations for further dramatic action on the environment. It was also testimony to deep Republican resistance to the White House.
Obama's early moves on the environment - and the huge green investment in last week's economic rescue package - had raised expectations for further green legislation.
American environmentalists had routinely described the economic rescue plan as a "down payment" on a new green economy, that would need to be followed up if its potential were not squandered. Legislation to reduce CO2 emissions was seen as a crucial part of that follow-up.
Environment ministers also believe the US would be on a better footing at the Copenhagen conference to press for action from other big polluters, such as China and India, if it could show it was addressing the same problems at home.
Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives had promised legislation on CO2 reductions by the end of May. The Senate is operating on a longer time scale - though the Democratic leadership too has promised to introduce legislation before Copenhagen.
But the White House now evidently believes that both those schedules are unrealistic after the wrangling in Congress over the economic rescue plan.
The rescue plan ran into concerted Republican opposition, preventing Obama from making good on an election promise to end partisan bickering in Washington.
The White House is still trying to build political support for its green agenda. Governors who gathered at their annual meeting in Washington last weekend were briefed by the Obama green team.
Obama also told the governors he supported a cap and trade regime, the Washington governor, Christine Gregoire, said. But he said it would be harder to get such legislation through Congress amid the rows over the economic rescue plan.
"The president said it nicely: 'That as complex as the stimulus package has been, cap and trade will become as well'," Gregoire said.