Archive - Jan 23, 2009

The streets of Washington DC are still overflowing with excitement and energy from the inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama. Citizens from across the United States and around the world watched as Obama hit the ground running on Wednesday, but as citizens who care about the climate, we are all wishing and hoping that Obama will be the next environmental president. According to Bill Chameides of the Huffington Post:

Barack Obama is in the White House, his appointments are almost all confirmed, and everyone on the Hill is pushing a green recovery bill full steam ahead. We're at the cusp of an explosion of green investments, but we're keeping our eyes on the big picture, too.

Former Vice-President Al Gore will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on climate change next Wednesday, January 28. Gore will discuss the latest climate change science and the implications for the future of our planet.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) invited Gore. Kerry said:

Al Gore has been sounding the alarm on climate change for over three decades, and he understands the urgent need for American engagement and leadership on this issue. America must act decisively in order for the nations of the world to reach agreement on a climate change treaty at the December 2009 meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark. The timeline is short for us to respond to the threat of climate change, and this hearing will examine what America must do to lead the world in crafting a truly global solution.

In his inaugural address on Tuesday, President Obama called for "bold and swift" action to fix our economy and promised to work tirelessly to "roll back the specter of a warming planet."