In his February, 2013 State of the Union address President Obama challenged Congress to act on climate change, saying that "If Congress won’t act soon to protect future generations, I will". Congress has failed to act and yesterday President Obama delivered on his promise with an address to the students of Georgetown University that was a forceful call for action on climate change.
The President's address introduced his "Climate Action Plan" which, while broad in scope and short on detail, represents the most comprehensive statement of the U.S. government on climate change. Contrary to the expectations of some, the President did not include the issuance of Executive Orders to implement actions, but which primarily described a broad approach including efforts currently underway and general objectives for the future.
In a unexpected remark the President addressed the Keystone XL pipeline and said that:
Allowing the Keystone pipeline to be built requires a finding that doing so would be in our nation’s interest. And our national interest will be served only if this project does not significantly exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution. (Applause.) The net effects of the pipeline’s impact on our climate will be absolutely critical to determining whether this project is allowed to go forward. It’s relevant.
If the President maintains that position the Keystone XL pipeline is suddenly a mute issue.
The one immediate action that the President will undertake is the issuing of a Presidential Memorandum directing the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to "expeditiously" complete standards for emissions of carbon pollutants from new and existing electric power generation plants. Note that this directive does not require the EPA to develop regulations but rather will result in "standards", which can provide guidance to states developing emission regulations.
The President's Action Plan has 3 major sections: 1.) Cut Carbon Pollution in America, 2.) Prepare the United States for the Impact of Climate Change, and 3.) Lead International Efforts to Combat Global Climate Change and Prepare for its Impacts. Each of the three plan sections contains a number of sub-topics and goals. An "infographic" presentation of the Presidents plan can be found on the White House website as can a full pdf copy of the plan.
In recognition of the fact that any action by this Congress to curtain climate change, and its impacts, is impossible, the President's Climate Action Plan basically ignores Congress, including only action items that can be implemented without Congressional approval. Like most such government documents the plan contains many generalities, and self-congratulatory statements. However, the plan also has great potential, perhaps the greatest of which could be the incorporation of climate change considerations in the every-day conduct of government-wide business.
At a minimum, the President's Action Plan can be viewed as an a good starting point; its success will depend upon the details and the forceful implementation of the plan throughout the federal government.
The day before the President's speech the Pew Research Center released a poll showing that only 40% of Americans believe that climate change is a "major threat" to the country, and rank global warming in last place on a list of 21 priorities, with only 28% feeling that it should be a priority for Congress and the President this year. So perhaps the biggest challenge that the President faces in the implementing his Climate Action Plan is public opinion. After the congressional defeat of the "cap and trade" bill during the President's first term, President Obama very rarely even mentioned climate change. He now must bring the issue to the forefront, educate the citizenry, and convince them of the need for urgent action. Only by doing so can he ensure the ultimate success of his Climate Action Plan.
