Obama’s Climate Change Promise: Procurement Could Offer Solution
Speaking before a crowd of an estimated 1 million people on the National Mall this week, U.S. President Barack Obama made a bold promise in his second inaugural address to take action on climate change.
“We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations,” Obama said.
He went further: “But America cannot resist this transition, we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries, we must claim its promise.”
Left unsaid — and it seems reasonable given the constraints of a broad, 18-minute address — is how he would lead on the issue.
Obama under pressure after Nebraska governor signs off on Keystone XL
A day after promising action on climate change, president now faces crucial test of commitment to environmental causes.
The Big Money Inauguration: Obama Kicks Off Second Term with Help of Unlimited Corporate Donations
At his inauguration four years ago, President Obama refused to accept corporate donations, but this year ExxonMobil, AT&T and Microsoft are among the biggest backers of the festivities. With Obama now accepting unlimited corporate funding, donors have been offered a number of sponsorship options, including the top tier of $1 million for institutions and $250,000 for individuals. In contrast, corporate, lobbyist and political action committee donors were banned in 2009, and individual contributions were capped at $50,000. With funding from fossil fuel companies, there is a serious question of how much Obama will do to tackle climate change.
