Plant biologist and climate change expert Clint Springer, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, shares these observations in advance of President Obama’s climate change address on Tuesday, June 25.
“This is Mr. Obama's first major speech on climate change, and it should free federal agencies to begin releasing their plans to the President.
The obvious major focus of the speech needs to be reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The most egregious offenders are aging coal-fired power plants that release more than 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
In order for the address to be effective, Mr. Obama must offer real solutions that strengthen the domestic economy, as well as solutions that lead to substantial reductions in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
In his address, I hope to hear that Mr. Obama will endorse the long-shelved plans of the Environmental Protection Agency to curb greenhouse gas emissions. These plans have already had the groundwork laid for them with the Supreme Court recognizing that greenhouse gas emissions are a human-health hazard.
I would also like to hear Mr. Obama's current position on the Keystone XL pipeline. Recently 147 staffers drafted a letter to the president asking him not to support its construction. As hot button as this issue is, though, I expect him to steer clear of a major announcement unless he has decided to reject its building.
We have heard Mr. Obama highlight climate change in both his most recent Inaugural and State of the Union Addresses. I believe this signifies a significant effort on the administration’s part to start reversing the destructive course we've been on for a number of years.
Springer studies the effects of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide on the growth and development of plants. He can be reached for comment at 610-660-3432, at [email protected], or by calling the Office of University Communications at 610-660-3240.
RSS