Bild: Climate Change by Devojane

"My presidency will mark a new chapter in America's leadership on climate change that will strengthen our security and create millions of new jobs in the process."

Barack Obama, President-elect of the United States, November 2008

US-President Barack Obama wants to continue the fight against climate change despite the financial crisis. This is reflected in his choice of energy minister, the physics Nobel Prize winner Chu, and the creation of a position of coordinator for this policy area. Obama announced the „New Energy For America“ Programme, which puts measures against climate change on the top of his agenda. A substantial investment programme of 15 million dollar for a period of 10 years aims at reducing CO2-emissions and creating new jobs. Whether the USA will sign up for any international climate agreements is still unknown.

Green research is booming in California

Climate change and energy efficiency has also reached Silicon Valley, where Cleantech companies develop low-emissions electrical cars. According to Erika Mann such commitment is putting pressure on the European energy and climate researchers. "The dynamics of booming industries like Cleantech are enormous and will impact on the 21.century as once the Industrial Revolution did." Europe, and especially Germany, cannot lose their top position in this area, as competition from the USA is growing rapidly.

Innovation against climate change

In June 2008 Erika Mann visited the Center for Information Technology in the Interest of Society (CITRIS), which is made up of research centres from four Californian universities and industry researchers. Erika Mann, an expert on technological answers to climate change challenges, has been demanding a stronger EU focus on this area. Hence, the European Commission has issued a Communication on 20.May 2008 which recognises technological potential. Erika Mann recommended new global institutions for climate protection: "The changes in the climate and energy areas are drastic and their dynamics are not comparable with changes in trade markets."

Further helpful links:

• “G-20 summit in April will look at boosting low-carbon economy”, United Nations Environment Programme, 27.01.09
• Monday Morning, größter unabhängiger think tank von Skandinavien, Beitrag von Steve Chu: „Clear and Present Danger“
• Pathways to a Low-Carbon Economy, Version 2 of the Global Greenhouse Gas Abatement Cost Curve, Study McKinsey&Company, Januar 2009
• Homepage Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC)
• “E.U. Appeals to U.S. to Join Common Carbon Trading Market”, by James Kanter, nytimes.com, 23.01.09
• Interview with Jim Hansen, one of the world’s leading climatologists: “We have only four years left to act on climate change – America has to lead”, guardian.co.uk, The Observer, 18.01.09
• Interview with Stuart Eizenstat, former US ambassador to the EU: “Global climate deal a tall order for Obama”, Euractiv.com, 18.12.09
• Interview with IPCC Chair Rajendra Pachauri, by Ben Block, Worldwatch Institut, 16.01.09
• „Energy Shock“, Report by Dan Kammen, Center for Latin American Studies, UC Berkeley, U.S.-Mexico Futures Forum, 29.03.08
• Statement of Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy-Designate before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources U.S. Senate, 13.01.09
• “EU Welcomes Obama’s Vow to Lead on Fighting Climate Change”, DW-World.de, 28.01.09
• “Europe’s coal push harming climate goals, warns US envoy”, by Brian Beary, Europolitics, 28.01.09
• “Should Obama push a climate bill in 2009 or 2010? Does a serious bill need action from China?”, Grist, Environmental news & Commentary, posted by Joseph Romm, 17.01.09
• “In Obama’s Team, Two Camps on Climate”, nytimes.com, 02.01.09