Greens have begun to truly embrace investment in clean energy as a major piece of the agenda, but there is also a lot in the report that gives reason for pause.
Last week a coalition of the big green groups released a 400 page report recommending the actions that President Obama should take in regard to climate change. It is the first time that greens have all truly embraced investing in a clean energy economy, which is a positive step; but there is also a lot in the report that gives reason for pause.
Although the report's first recommendation is for a carbon cap and auction, it states that the revenue from this system should be used for investment and not for rebates. At the same time, the report names cutting pollution as a higher priority than the two other goals of the President's economic recovery strategy: "repowering America with clean energy" and "ending our dependence on oil ."
However, at least building a clean energy economy and ending dependence on oil are on the list. The greens seem to have come to the realization that economic programs that promote jobs resonate with voters and are much better motivators for politicians for this reason.
Another questionable assertion of the report is the pseudo-colonial claim that America passing a cap and trade program would somehow spur action by India and China. There is no proof that this is true, and lots of evidence that it is not . Officials in the developing world have reiterated their position that they will not work to reduce emissions if it will adversely affect development.
The most disappointing aspect of the report is the way in which the language about economic revitalization seems like window dressing. It is mentioned, but the report largely focuses on solving environmental problems as more important than and separate from the economic components of the plan. This, of course, misses the point that environmental problems and economic problems are inextricably linked.
All in all the report is good (close to on the money) messaging from the green groups, with a significant if not primary policy focus on investment. However, the continued emphasis on a cap and trade system, lack of any real attention to economic revitalization and a few baseless assertions about the attitudes of the developing world regarding action on climate change cut away at its ability to ring true beyond the already converted.
