Climate change USA? American Energy Policy under President Barack Obama

Transcription

1 Climate change USA? American Energy Policy under President Barack Obama Aaron Best Ecologic Institute Berlin 10 February Fachkongress Zukunftsenergien der EnergieAgentur.NRW Essen, Germany

2 Superman, Senator Barack Obama (Photo via:

3 U.S. President Barack Obama (Photo via: public domain)

4 2005/6/7 Climate change USA High energy prices Hurricane Katrina, Al Gore, IPCC reports, G8 Heiligendamm (Photos via hhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:noaa-hurricane-katrina-aug utc.jpg (public domain); G8 (Heiligendamm via (public domain photo); IPCC graphic

5 Fuel Share of Total Primary Energy Supply, 2006 United States Source: reproduced from IEA (2009) Copyright OECD/IEA. USTPESPI.pdf Germany Source: reproduced from IEA (2009) Copyright OECD/IEA.

6 Comparative Energy-Related Statistics, Germany and US, 2006 Units Germany US % diff Energy use per capita tons of oil equivalent per capita % Energy use per unit of GDP tons of oil equivalent per thousand US$ of GDP % Electricity use per capita kwh per capita 7,175 13,515 88% CO 2 emissions per capita tons of CO 2 per capita % Energy imports percent of total energy imported 62% 31% -50% Notes: GDP figures in constant 2000 US dollars at purchasing power parity. Sources: IEA Selected 2006 Indicators for Germany and Selected 2006 Indicators for the United States.

7 U.S. Petroleum Consumption, Production and Imports Source: reproduced from EIA (2007). Annual Energy Review p. xxiii. (public domain)

8 CO 2 Emissions by Region (Reference Case) Source: Energy Information Administration (2008). International Energy Outlook 2008 World Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Region (public domain)

9 2009 In the 21st century we know that the future of our economy and national security is inextricably linked with one challenge: energy. This will be a leading priority of my presidency and the defining test of our time. Barack Obama Photo via (public domain)

10 Obama-Biden s New Energy For America Plan New jobs 5 million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next 10 years Less oil Within 10 years save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined. Hybrid cars Put 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2015 Renewable energy Ensure 10 percent of U.S. electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by Climate change Make the U.S. a leader on addressing climate change. Cap-and-trade Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.

11 Obama s Early Actions on Energy and Environment Nov 4 Election Nov 20 First major post-election speech: addresses climate Dec 15 Obama announces his Green Dream Team Jan 20 Inauguration Jan 26 First White House press conference: 14 states allowed to set stricter standards for cars; efficiency and renewables initiatives; Todd Stern named special envoy for climate change. Feb 4 Two House bills introduced matching Obama s policy goals: American Renewable Energy Act 25% electricity renewable by The Save American Energy Act electricity demand down 15% by 2020 Feb 2009 Secretary Clinton s first trip abroad: will include China visit and focus heavily on climate

12 The Green Dream Team If this team can't advance strong national policy on global warming, then no one can." Kevin Knobloch, President, Union of Concerned Scientists "Each one of them is not only experienced and capable... but also very, very committed to doing something on climate." Tony Kreindler, Environmental Defense Fund Carol Browner (White House energy/climate policy*), Stephen Chu (DOE*); John Holdren (WH Science Advisor), Lisa Jackson (EPA*), Jane Lubchenco (NOAA*); Todd Stern (State), Nancy Sutley (CEQ*) (clockwise from top-left; *initial dream-team member) (Photos via (public domain); (creative commons); (creative commons); (public domain); Quotes from: Zabarenko, Deborah (2008). Obama team primed to push climate change agenda Reuters. Dec 23, 2008

13 Some Key Legislative Players Nancy Pelosi (D-CA, Speaker of the House); Henry Waxman (D-CA, Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee); Edward Markey (D-MA, House Energy and Environment Subcommittee); Harry Reid (D-NV, Senate Majority Leader); Barbara Boxer (D-CA, Chair, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. All photos are public domain.

14 Key Challenges Financial crisis Energy price volatility 10 months to Copenhagen 59 Senate seats Sustaining the securityeconomy-environment coalition

15 Public domain photo