Obama's Clean Energy and Climate Change Speech at the UN (Sept. 22, 2009) - from Clean Energy Politics

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Clean Energy Politics News: THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary _________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release                          September 22, 2009 REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON'S CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT United Nations Headquarters New York, New York 9:46 A.M. EDT PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Thank you very much.  Good morning.  I want to thank the Secretary General for organizing this summit, and all the leaders who are participating.  That so many of us are here today is a recognition that the threat from climate change is serious, it is urgent, and it is growing.  Our generation's response to this challenge will be judged by history, for if we fail to meet it -- boldly, swiftly, and together -- we risk consigning future generations to an irreversible catastrophe.  No nation, however large or small, wealthy or poor, can escape the impact of climate change.  Rising sea levels threaten every coastline.  More powerful storms and floods threaten every continent.  More frequent droughts and crop failures breed hunger and conflict in places where hunger and conflict already thrive. On shrinking islands, families are already being forced to flee their homes as climate refugees.  The security and stability of each nation and all peoples -- our prosperity, our health, and our safety -- are in jeopardy.  And the time we have to reverse this tide is running out.  And yet, we can reverse it.  John F. Kennedy once observed that "Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man."  It is true that for too many years, mankind has been slow to respond or even recognize the magnitude of the climate threat. It is true of my own country, as well.  We recognize that.  But this is a new day.  It is a new era.  And I am proud to say that the United States has done more to promote clean energy and reduce carbon pollution in the last eight months than at any other time in our history.  We are making our government's largest ever investment in renewable energy -- an investment aimed at doubling the generating capacity from wind and other renewable resources in three years.  Across America, entrepreneurs are constructing wind turbines and solar panels and batteries for hybrid cars with the help of loan guarantees and tax credits -- projects that are creating new jobs and new industries.  We're investing billions to cut energy waste in our homes, our buildings, and appliances  -- helping American families save money on energy bills in the process.  We've proposed the very first national policy aimed at both increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks -- a standard that will also save consumers money and our nation oil.  We're moving forward with our nation's first offshore wind energy projects.  We're investing billions to capture carbon pollution so that we can clean up our coal plants.  And just this week, we announced that for the first time ever, we'll begin tracking how much greenhouse gas pollution is being emitted throughout the country.  Later this week, I will work with my colleagues at the G20 to phase out fossil fuel subsidies so that we can better address our climate challenge.  And already, we know that the recent drop in overall U.S. emissions is due in part to steps that promote greater efficiency and greater use of renewable energy.  Most importantly, the House of Representatives passed an energy and climate bill in June that would finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy for American businesses and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  One committee has already acted on this bill in the Senate and I look forward to engaging with others as we move forward.    Because no one nation can meet this challenge alone, the United States has also engaged more allies and partners in finding a solution than ever before.  In April, we convened the first of what have now been six meetings of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate here in the United States.  In Trinidad, I proposed an Energy and Climate Partnership for the Americas.  We've worked through the World Bank to promote renewable energy projects and technologies in the developing world.  And we have put climate at the top of our diplomatic agenda when it comes to our relationships with countries as varied as China and Brazil; India and Mexico; from the continent of Africa to the continent of Europe.  Taken together, these steps represent a historic recognition on behalf of the American people and their government.  We understand the gravity of the climate threat.  We are determined to act.  And we will meet our responsibility to future generations. But though many of our nations have taken bold action and share in this determination, we did not come here to celebrate progress today.  We came because there's so much more progress to be made.  We came because there's so much more work to be done.  It is work that will not be easy.  As we head towards Copenhagen, there should be no illusions that the hardest part of our journey is in front of us.  We seek sweeping but necessary change in the midst of a global recession, where every nation's most immediate priority is reviving their economy and putting their people back to work.  And so all of us will face doubts and difficulties in our own capitals as we try to reach a lasting solution to the climate challenge.  But I'm here today to say that difficulty is no excuse for complacency.  Unease is no excuse for inaction.  And we must not allow the perfect to become the enemy of progress.  Each of us must do what we can when we can to grow our economies without endangering our planet -- and we must all do it together.  We must seize the opportunity to make Copenhagen a significant step forward in the global fight against climate change.  We also cannot allow the old divisions that have characterized the climate debate for so many years to block our progress.  Yes, the developed nations that caused much of the damage to our climate over the last century still have a responsibility to lead -- and that includes the United States.  And we will continue to do so -- by investing in renewable energy and promoting greater efficiency and slashing our emissions to reach the targets we set for 2020 and our long-term goal for 2050.  But those rapidly growing developing nations that will produce nearly all the growth in global carbon emissions in the decades ahead must do their part, as well.  Some of these nations have already made great strides with the development and deployment of clean energy.  Still, they need to commit to strong measures at home and agree to stand behind those commitments just as the developed nations must stand behind their own.  We cannot meet this challenge unless all the largest emitters of greenhouse gas pollution act together.  There's no other way.  We must also energize our efforts to put other developing nations -- especially the poorest and most vulnerable -- on a path to sustained growth.  These nations do not have the same resources to combat climate change as countries like the United States or China do, but they have the most immediate stake in a solution.  For these are the nations that are already living with the unfolding effects of a warming planet -- famine, drought, disappearing coastal villages, and the conflicts that arise from scarce resources.  Their future is no longer a choice between a growing economy and a cleaner planet, because their survival depends on both.  It will do little good to alleviate poverty if you can no longer harvest your crops or find drinkable water.  And that is why we have a responsibility to provide the financial and technical assistance needed to help these nations adapt to the impacts of climate change and pursue low-carbon development.  What we are seeking, after all, is not simply an agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions.  We seek an agreement that will allow all nations to grow and raise living standards without endangering the planet.  By developing and disseminating clean technology and sharing our know-how, we can help developing nations leap-frog dirty energy technologies and reduce dangerous emissions.  Mr. Secretary, as we meet here today, the good news is that after too many years of inaction and denial, there's finally widespread recognition of the urgency of the challenge before us. We know what needs to be done.  We know that our planet's future depends on a global commitment to permanently reduce greenhouse gas pollution.  We know that if we put the right rules and incentives in place, we will unleash the creative power of our best scientists and engineers and entrepreneurs to build a better world.  And so many nations have already taken the first step on the journey towards that goal.  But the journey is long and the journey is hard.  And we don't have much time left to make that journey.  It's a journey that will require each of us to persevere through setbacks, and fight for every inch of progress, even when it comes in fits and starts.  So let us begin.  For if we are flexible and pragmatic, if we can resolve to work tirelessly in common effort, then we will achieve our common purpose:  a world that is safer, cleaner, and healthier than the one we found; and a future that is worthy of our children.  Thank you very much.  (Applause.) END                                            10:02 A.M. EDT

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Iranian eco terrorism, the US and Israel effect

Iran is playing with environmental eco-terrorism again. this is not good for your tulips.

Iranians set for big powers talks

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes - click to have your say

Iran is to hold talks next month with the six world powers dealing with the crisis over its nuclear programme.

The talks are due to start on 1 October and at an as yet undecided venue.

Last week, Tehran offered "comprehensive" talks on disarmament issues, but made no direct mention of its own nuclear programme.

In response, the US said it was ready to "test Iran's willingness to engage", while stressing that the offer did "not address our nuclear concerns".

The UK, China, France, Russia and the US, the five permanent Security Council members, and Germany have had a longstanding offer of diplomatic and economic incentives to Iran if it agrees to suspend uranium enrichment.

Iran has always insisted that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only.

ANALYSIS By Paul Reynolds, BBC News There is a risk that these talks with Iran might simply confirm differences over Iran's nuclear programme not narrow them. It is not even clear whether Iran's nuclear programme will even be discussed. The US had said it would raise the issue in any discussions but Iran has said the question is closed. Iran wants the talks to concentrate on a letter it sent the countries negotiating with it - the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - in which it offered talks on global issues. Obviously these countries have felt they must respond. This is in line with President Obama's offer of an "extended hand" to Iran. The fear among Western diplomats, though, is that Iran is playing for time and trying to put off the possibility of further economic sanctions. The only potentially hopeful sign is that Iran is sending its chief nuclear negotiator. Q&A: Iran and the nuclear issue

It is under UN sanctions for refusing to end uranium enrichment activities, and is widely suspected of seeking to develop the technology to build a nuclear weapon.

'Non-negotiable'

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday that Iran is ready to discuss global issues with world powers, but that its nuclear programme was non-negotiable.

This line was repeated by Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi on Monday: "The Iranian nation will not debate its right to have nuclear technology. But as mentioned in its proposed package one of the topics we will discuss relates to alleviating the concerns over the nuclear issue."

On Wednesday 9 September, a five-page Iranian proposal was submitted to the group of six global powers negotiating over its nuclear enrichment programme.

In it, Tehran offers to hold "comprehensive, all-encompassing and constructive" negotiations on a range of security issues, including global nuclear disarmament.

But the document makes no mention of Iran's own nuclear programme.

natanz nuclear facility, iran

Correspondents say the various parties involved are making their positions clear ahead of the UN General Assembly later this month.

US President Barack Obama has given Tehran until the end of September to respond to his friendlier overtures or face new sanctions.

maze of israeli idf soldier gilad shalit in his green uniform, captured by hamas, funded by iran and the oil you buy from them when you gas up.

Cali. legislature passes clean energy goals (reuters)

California lawmakers pass tougher clean energy goals (click to read source)

Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:24am EDT

By Lisa Baertlein

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A bill that would power up California's already ambitious effort to shift to cleaner, renewable energy has cleared the state legislature, but it was uncertain if Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would sign it.

Schwarzenegger, who supports the more aggressive requirements in the measure, is under pressure from interests such as small energy producers and local utility districts to veto the bill.

The plan, passed by the state Senate late on Friday, would require California's utility companies to get one-third of their electricity from solar, wind and other alternative energy sources by 2020.

The state has embarked on the most ambitious U.S. effort to switch to more environmentally friendly energy production. But it is struggling to meet its current goal of sourcing 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010.

Senate Bill 14 would lift the existing renewable energy sourcing requirement and boost the 2020 goal to 33 percent.

It also would limit the amount of out-of-state renewable power sold in California, a move meant to keep jobs in the nation's most populous state as it grapples with dwindling revenue and high unemployment.

Schwarzenegger has 30 days to act on the legislation, which was written by Senator Joe Simitian. His district includes Silicon Valley -- the famed technology hub that gave birth to companies like Web search company Google Inc and computer maker Hewlett-Packard Co.

Electricity generation accounts for 32 percent of California's gross carbon dioxide emissions. Emissions from the electricity sector are increasing twice as fast as emissions from any other sector, including transportation, state officials say.

California's three largest utilities, Pacific Gas and Electric, Edison International's Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric, produced just 13 percent of their power from renewables last year.

The state, which is the world's eighth-largest economy, is a huge market for companies like Tempe, Arizona-based First Solar and San Jose, California-based SunPower Corp.

Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 32, which would expand California's feed-in tariff -- a form of government incentive -- for solar power projects. The governor has 30 days to veto or sign this legislation.

The bill would increase the size of the eligible projects to 3 megawatts from 1.5 megawatts.

(Additional reporting by Laura Isensee in Los Angeles and Peter Henderson in San Francisco; Editing by Xavier Briand)