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President Obama to unveil climate plan Tuesday

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


President Barack Obama will unveil details about his climate change strategy this Tuesday at a talk at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gcL3_zzgWeU#at=29

According to a video posted to the White House front page, his vision will include a national plan to reduce carbon pollution, prepare the country for impacts of climate change, and lead global climate efforts.


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Calling climate change a “serious challenge”, and one that is "uniquely suited" to America’s strengths, the President calls on farmers, engineers, businesses, and citizens to work together. This announcement comes on the heels of the signing of a new agreement between the United States and China on hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, earlier this month. HFCs have replaced HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) in air conditioning and refrigeration systems in response to their impact on atmospheric ozone. However, the replacement HFCs are potent greenhouse gases.

The President is expected to use executive powers to reduce carbon pollution, rather than relying on Congressional action. The Administration has kept most climate change issues in a holding pattern in recent months while it works to shepherd Gina McCarthy's nomination to lead the EPA through the Senate while nailing down the particulars on emissions rules for new power plants. The power plant emission rules are controversial and likely to involve the courts. In 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the EPA has authority to regulate greenhouse gases as pollutants under the Clean Air Act.

The President’s strategy will likely include efforts to boost clean energy development domestically and spur adaptation measures, such as securing coastlines and ports for vulnerable communities.

You can watch the announcement this Tuesday at 1:35PM Eastern at whitehouse.gov/live.

David Wogan is an engineer and policy researcher who writes about energy, technology, and policy.

David's academic and professional background includes a unique blend of technology and policy in the field of energy systems. Most recently, David worked at Austin Energy, a Texas municipal utility, implementing a Department of Energy stimulus grant related to energy efficiency. Previously, David was a member of the Energy & Climate Change team at the White House Council on Environmental Quality for the Obama Administration.

David holds two Master's degrees from The University of Texas at Austin in Mechanical Engineering and Public Affairs. While at UT, David was a researcher in the Webber Energy Group, where his research focused on advanced biofuel production to offset petroleum use in the transportation sector. David holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, where he researched nuclear non-proliferation measurement technology.

David is a 2013 Aspen Institute Journalism Scholar, joining a select group of journalists from Slate, ABC News, and The New York Times.

David lives in Austin, Texas. Follow along on Twitter or email him at david.wogan@me.com.

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