"Welcome Back USA We've Missed You"

[Hissyspit]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/02/barrack-obama-carbon-emissions

Welcome back USA we've missed you
Barack Obama has put the environment at the top of his agenda and that's exciting, writes Bryony Worthington from Sandbag.org.uk, part of the Guardian Environment Network

From Sandbag.org.uk part of the Guardian Environment Network
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday December 2 2008 11.14 GMT

I was in Washington DC last week and the sense of excitement amongst the environmental community is palpable – not only does the country have an iconic new leader but he has put climate change and energy at the top of his agenda.

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The targets: return to 1990 levels by 2020 and cut by 80% by 2050 – though this could become even more ambitious, thanks to a key change Waxman replacing Dingell) in the influential Energy Committee of the House of Representatives.

There is no doubt that America is back in the climate protection game. And, as the original architects of emissions trading, they will no doubt observe some of the mistakes made in Europe and do things slightly differently.

Some thoughts on things they could do better:

• Start with a clear path in mind – it is the sum of emissions over time that increases the risk of climate change so the trajectory towards zero emissions is as important as the end target.

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• Explain to civil society what is happening, engage them in the debate and make sure people are empowered to take action that goes further than the cap (ie encourage them to cancel emissions permits).

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[stuntcat]

1. :^} k & r

:thumbsup: :kick: