Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : The Exxon Free Environmental Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (4374)	10/10/2009 1:26:34 AM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 49047

Climate change cited as reason for Nobel Prize to Obama despite inaction October 9, 5:56 PM Climate Change Examiner Tony Hake At least in part, President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize due to his efforts to combat manmade climate change. The citation in part says, “Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting.” However, like much of the rest of the citation, the Nobel Committee seems to pin the statement on potential rather than action on the part of the United States to combat climate change. The news to give the award was stunning given the President’s relatively short time in office. Audible gasps were heard in the crowd when the award was announced and it was obvious that the White House was as caught off guard as anyone. In just over eight months of office Obama has struggled to accomplish much of what he promised during his campaign as his measures in Congress are stalled and the American public remains hesitant. Today at the U.N. climate talks in Bangkok, Thailand the United States and other developed nations were roundly criticized for their lack of action as little progress was made. Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy for the Union of Concerned Scientists, said, "The developing nations are justifiably angry at the lack of progress, about the lack of credible offers by the United States, by the European Union and by Japan." Underlining the frustration, the statement issued by the union used the headline, “U.S. Stance Hinders Progress at Bangkok Climate Talks.” The president has spurred discussion on the topic of climate change and anthropogenic global warming but actual progress has not been substantial. The House of Representatives has passed its version of cap and trade legislation and the Senate is deliberating its own version. However, the goals in the measures fall below what many believe is necessary and it is highly unlikely Obama will have a bill to sign before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. Progressive green movement groups congratulated the president and expressed hope for progress on climate change however they also expressed their concerns. Friends of the Earth said in statement that while they were pleased the president won the award, they were concerned about unmet expectations. “We have concerns though, that the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded President Obama this award on the basis of expectations that have not yet been met,” the group said in a statement. Greenpeace issued a dire warning about climate change saying, “If allowed to go unchecked, climate change will wreak havoc on our societies - spurring mass migration, mass starvation and mass extinction. It will spark conflicts worldwide.” The group urged the president to be a “true Nobel Peace Laureate.” In a statement given in the Rose Garden, President Obama acknowledged the challenges ahead to enact climate change legislation. “We cannot accept the growing threat posed by climate change, which could forever damage the world that we pass on to our children -- sowing conflict and famine; destroying coastlines and emptying cities,” he said. “And that's why all nations must now accept their share of responsibility for transforming the way that we use energy.” examiner.com