Presidential climate action: the first 100 days

The following is a guest post from Morgan Pitts, Research Director at the Presidential Climate Action Plan (PCAP). -- Luis

The nearly two-year long campaign for the American presidency is finally, mercifully, drawing to a close. In less than two weeks, we’ll know who will lead our country for the next four years. That person will inherit significant challenges: two wars, a declining economy, a volatile energy system and a dangerously destabilizing climate.

Waking up on November 5th, the president-elect will have no time to waste in addressing these problems. He will immediately begin the transition process, laying the groundwork for the challenges he will face in January. After inauguration, the new president will enjoy his brief honeymoon period with the American public – the time between inauguration and the first congressional recess. It is during this time that he will lay out the agenda and set the priorities of his presidency.

There will be much to do in little time. What we need is an Apollo scale investment in our energy system to kick-start the new economy. The good news is that even despite the less than proactive current administration, growth in the renewable energy sector has dwarfed growth in the fossil energy sector. General Motors, former champion of the Hummer and bigger-is-better lifestyle, has challenged Toyota to develop the first mass produced plug-in hybrid vehicle by 2010. The prototype Chevy Volt will be the most fuel-efficient vehicle in history thanks to advanced American technology.

All we need is a plan to encourage positive growth that is already occurring and encourage further investment in the 21st century economy. Fortunately, we’ve gotten a jump-start on that for the next president.

The Presidential Climate Action Plan (PCAP) is an initiative of the University of Colorado School of Public Affairs and is based in Denver, Colorado. We’re a small team that has spent the last two years developing a comprehensive climate action plan for the next administration. Guided by an advisory committee made up of leading experts in environmental science, economics, business and government to develop a comprehensive climate action plan for the next administration, the plan has been supported by research from organizations such as the Center for American Progress, American Solar Energy Society, Alliance to Save Energy, Center for Neighborhood Technology, the Apollo Alliance and many others.

Stay tuned for the final version of PCAP to be released shortly after November 4th. It will contain hundreds of recommendations for the next President and his advisors. But, if you’re interested in getting a sneak peak, you should check out the book we released this week. The 100 Day Action Plan to Save The Planet is available electronically only (to cut down on emissions and resource use associated with printing books) and is downloadable for the modest price tag of $9.95. All proceeds from the book will go back to PCAP to support our continuing efforts to promote bold climate policy.

Have a look!