Much like another mythical hero, Popay the sailor man – it’s Obama’s green ‘mojo’ that keeps him going strong.
Now that we have the Health Care safely sorted as a Christmas gift to America – what about a gift for the world?
For Obama, a whole series of kudos and clarifying questions emerge now from a world awaiting for the US climate bill.
Now that he has claimed a stake of the climate debate for America, joining the two greater emitters in a climate deal that at least accounts already for more than 50% of all emissions is time to pass it at home too.
And that is the Executive branch of the US government working successfully with the US Senate as was the case with his participation and leadership in the singular achievement of the Copenhagen Accord .
We are fully expecting a firm Climate bill to emerge from the Senate and to be signed by the President before the spring meeting of the COP15 participants in Bonn.
When we ask him to tell us where does he place climate and energy in his list of priorities – He is rather clear.
“Even though we have a long way to go, there’s no question that we’ve accomplished a great deal over the last few days,” Obama said. “I want America to continue to lead on this journey, because if America leads in developing clean energy, we will lead in growing our economy and putting our people back to work, and leaving a stronger and more secure country to our children.”
He will make a nationally televised prime-time address on climate similar to September’s health care speech and it will be a breakthrough moment again.
Whatever political muscle he invests on the issue before this spring, before the summer UNFCCC meetings and certainly before next November meetings of COP16 in Mexico city will determine the future of the Green Economy.
In Copenhagen, a wide variety of people from around the globe saw Obama as the leader that was missing from the COP16 discussions and negotiations before the end during the last day.
Still his critics were left with little except their mantra that he had lost some of his luster since he didn’t deliver a binding legal treaty.
Still when your climate denier critics accuse you of not completing the climate treaty – that’s a good day.
And the real environmentalists still all say that Obama demonstrated in Copenhagen and during his stay there and the days surrounding his trip here, just how much he is engaged on the climate change issue.
The president of the Environmental Parliament Klaus Rilke, said Obama was able to argue intensely and deeply knowledgeably the ins and outs of the domestic and international climate debate during an Oval Office meeting with environmentalists and business officials just before Copenhagen.
What will drive the US senate Climate bill is presidential leadership, and Obama showed he has the determination and leadership skills to put it all on the line and deliver, said another Environmental leader.
Jeremy Symons of the National Wildlife Federation said “Would you bet against him after pulling off the breakthrough in Copenhagen when the talks had died?
Not me.
“I’m sure Senate observers got a sobering assessment of the international dimension of the climate issue — but they also saw the president’s resolve,” added Dirk Forrester, president of the Nature Source consulting firm and former head of the White House Climate Change Task Force during the Clinton-Gore democratic administration.
One thing is certain – Obama will remain deeply engaged in Washington for the climate bill now that Copenhagen is nearly settled.
“Since he’s done it on the world stage, he’ll likely push hard domestically too, maintaining credibility and leadership,” Forrester said. “He came in against the odds, and withstood unbelievable assaults from Sudan, China and Venezuela, but he and his team stood their ground and forged a compromise that was very broadly supported.”
Obama did not respond – when reporters asked him about his plans for the US Senate Climate bill, just before boarding Air Force One, leaving the succesful Copenhagen talks.
But when he was back at the White House, Obama dropped just one tempting hint listing his now familiar reasons for soon passing a climate bill.
“That’s why I went to Copenhagen yesterday and that’s why I will continue in these efforts in the weeks and months to come,” Obama said before heading for his Hawaiian family holidays.
Godspeed for a well deserved rest.
