In a follow up to our previous post, this article will explain the Obama Administration’s ambitious Climate Change Plan. U.S. President Barack Obama released a video a couple of weeks ago speaking about his plans to take on climate change. He unveiled the plan on August 3rd. The plan document is just 21 pages, but has succinctly explained the need for such measures and the effects it will have on our planet. It also outlines what measures we need to take in order to achieve our goal of stabilizing the planet’s climate.
The foundation of this plan is based on three goals: cutting down carbon emissions, preparing ourselves for climate changes and leading the way for the international community to also adopt these measures. If we look at these closely, all three goals are actually steps of gradual progression.
In the first step, the main contributor of carbon emissions is thermal power plants. They contribute to an estimated one third of the domestic greenhouse gas emissions, according to the report, which is huge in terms of volume. As stated in the video by President Obama, there are limits on the amount of other toxic chemical emissions, but ironically, no limit on carbon emissions. This is giving companies free rein to dump increasing amounts of carbon into our air and water, which needs to be controlled. The water and wastewater resulting from these plants is extremely harmful. This will be the first step in reducing the greenhouse gas effects towards cleaner water and air.
Our climate is changing constantly and even if these measures are being taken now on a priority basis, the damage that has been done already cannot be reversed; our best bet now is to prepare ourselves against the impending changes. The Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force was established by the President to present recommendations as to how Americans should safeguard themselves against these changes. The task force has organised an annual summit, known as the National Climate Adaptation Summit, since 2010. This summit is for people to collaborate and come up with different measures and plans to safeguard the planet. Such action can only be taken through making investments into resilient constructions in communities and families.
Lastly, the United States should lead the world community in to adopting these measures. The onus of reducing the carbon footprint of the world lies on the developed countries with the greatest capacity to combat climate change. The United States is one of the first developed countries who have recognised the importance of climate changes and its effects on our ecological system. Already having tabled a proposal at the United Nations General Meeting, the U.S. once again leads the world in to a new era of fighintg climate change. What do you think about the Climate Change Plan?
Photo Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate-change