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June 25, 2013, Georgetown University, Washington D.C., USAToday, President Barrack Obama unveiled the National Climate Change Action Plan for the United States of America. Climate change has been an environmental issue of global concern. The Plan, announced by President Obama appears as a first major effort by Obama administration to address the problem of climate change.

Scientists have collected lots of data showing that the earth's climate has been undergoing noticeable changes, largely attributed to anthropogenic (human) activities, particularly since the industrial activities that commenced with the industrial revolution of the 1700-1800s.

The human activities (e.g. the burning of fossil fuels) generate greenhouse gases which trap heat and increase the average temperature of our planet. Climate change has several negative impacts including heating up of the planet, drought, rising sea levels, melting glacier and other environmental impacts.

The major greenhouse gases released through human activities include carbon dioxide; methane; hydrofluorocarbons & related substances; and others. President Obama's climate change plan, as presented in his speech delivered at Georgetown University, is aimed at either reducing the generation of these substances or reducing their impacts on our climate. The plan can be discussed under the following sub-headings:

• Cutting carbon dioxide pollution by changing the way we use energy

• Reducing the generation of other greenhouse gas emissions such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and Methane

• Using less dirty energy, using more clean energy - Promoting increased use of Renewable Energy instead of burning fossil fuels

• Wasting less energy throughout our economy - promoting energy efficiency.

• Protecting the country (USA) from the impacts of climate change - Adaptation to climate change - helping Citizens to prepare for climate change impacts

•  Leading the world in a coordinated assault on a changing climate

Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions

First and foremost the President re-affirmed his administration's my administration pledge to reduce America's greenhouse gas emissions by about 17 percent from their 2005 levels by the end of this decade 

He went further to direct the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to put an end to the limitless dumping of carbon pollution from the country's power plants, and complete new pollution standards for both new and existing power plants. USEPA should develop these standards in an open and transparent way, to provide flexibility to different states with different needs, and build on the leadership that many states, and cities, and companies have already shown. President Obama noted that many power companies have started modernising their plants while others are now burning cleaner natural gas instead of the dirtier fuels

Reduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and methane emissions

 The plan will further USA's efforts to reach agreements with emerging technologies such as China, India and Brazil to phase down the production and consumption of another dangerous greenhouse substance - hydrofluorocarbons. USA has been making efforts to achieve this goal through the Montreal Protocol. A recent agreement between China and USA was also made to jointly phase down the production and consumption hydrofluorocarbons. This and similar initiatives will be further pursued under the new climate change plan

President Obama also stated that his administration will continue to work with the industry to make drilling safer and cleaner and to ensure that methane emissions are stopped and more natural gas is obtained for domestic and commercial/industrial uses.

More renewable energy and less of non-renewable energy

  The new plan will the USA to double energy production from wind and sun. The president directed the Interior Department to green light enough private, renewable energy capacity on public lands to power more than 6 million homes by 2020. He stated that the Department of Defense, the biggest energy consumer in America, will install 3 gigawatts of renewable power on its bases, generating about the same amount of electricity each year as you'd get from burning 3 million tons of coal. The plan will promote more use of renewable energy and natural gas.

Promoting energy efficiency

The new plan will also encourage less waste of energy and encourage energy efficiency to cut down on greenhouse gases emissions. New fuel standards will be set for heavy duty trucks, buses and vans. Domestic and commercial efficient energy usage will also be encouraged with the use of efficient appliances and fixtures. Obama stated that the federal government will take the lead in the area of energy efficiency. The federal government will consume 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources within the next seven years, he stated

Protection from climate change impacts - climate change adaptation

 The new plan will also assist the american people to adapt to climate change impacts. It will support initiatives aimed at helping people to cope with the adverse effects of climate change such as floods, droughts etc.

Global coordinated assault on a climate change

The plan also called for global actions and co-operations on curbing climate change. President Obama called for end of public financing for new coal plants overseas unless they deploy carbon-capture technologies, or there's no other viable way for the poorest countries to generate electricity. He urged other countries to join this effort. He directed his administration to launch negotiations toward global free trade in environmental goods and services, including clean energy technology, to help more countries skip past the dirty phase of development and join a global low-carbon economy. President stated that his administration will redouble her efforts to engage international partners in reaching a new global agreement to reduce carbon pollution through concrete action. 

 

Source:   Remarks by the President on Climate Change