The Clinton campaign is out of the gate with a massive energy plan to reduce dependence on foreign oil and create jobs. When Obama puts his version out, it will be here, likewise with the Republicans although I’m not holding my breath on that one.

The title of this post is a subject that will dominate the news this year on climate change. For all intents and purposes the debate on the human causes of warming is over and irrelevant; the time for accelerated action, both personal and global, is here. This blog will no longer engage in arguments regarding the reality of climate change or its causes- the evidence is everywhere and its stature as a global catastrophe is equally evident. The energy put into arguing and denial campaigns needs to be redirected into useful actions designed to slow and eventually reverse the process.

National politics offers very little in the way of actions or financing of these efforts. Climate change is not a national issue, it is a global issue. Weather, flooding, droughts, fires, rising oceans, warming, water issues and cooling have no respect for for borders. The only border that contains this change is the thin atmosphere of our small planet and it encompasses all of us as humans equally. Money may buy individuals some reprieve but no matter how wealthy you are you cannot protect your grandchildren from a world that will little resemble the one we have enjoyed and abused.

Economics will be the driving factor in combating climate change. Savvy business managers and investors know that crisis always represents opportunity to grow and profit. The rising real cost of gas and home heating fuels is finally bringing energy innovation into the forefront as entrepreneurs and scientists see the opportunity to provide innovation as a solution and a means to grow rich. Market forces are already creating change that activists and politicians were helpless to accelerate.

While our President belatedly realizes the awful mess he has created with his short-sighted energy policies and goes begging to Middle Eastern Oil countries, the markets are adapting. The fact that a conservative President is so ignorant of market reality that he thinks the sheiks can simply change prices is appalling but offers obvious backing for the reality of markets as the drivers of change- prices are not up because of Arab greed, they are up because massive new sources of demand, principally India and China, have appeared.

The only solutions to escalating energy demand and growing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions are in technological innovation combined with market regulating systems like carbon credit trading. Both work because both represent opportunities for profit. It would be nice to believe in an altruistic business rationale that takes responsibility for long term consequences of decisions made today, however the profiteering of the oil companies in recent years and short-sighted lobbying against even mild CAFE standards by automakers are just two examples of why we cannot expect anything but growth and profit to really force change.

The fortunate conclusion of this idea is that markets can force change and speed to market often determines success. Those who solve the big problems in energy, sustainability, reduction and elimination of carbon, population issues and more will be the titans of the next century. I only hope it’s not too late and they are not too greedy in the short term like those who have gone before them.

Stephen Johnson sold out the environment to the automakers yesterday, refusing to allow 17 states to set stringent emissions standards even though his entire staff recommended he allow the waivers. This after meetings with VP Cheney and the automakers:

“Some staff members believe Johnson made his decision after auto executives met with Vice President Dick Cheney and after a Chrysler executive delivered a letter to the White House outlining why neither California nor the EPA should be allowed to regulate greenhouse gases, among other reasons. The Detroit News reported Wednesday that chief executives of Ford and Chrysler met with Cheney last month.

“Clearly the White House said, ‘We’re going to get EPA out of the way and get California out of the way. If you give us this energy bill, then we’re done, the deal is done,’ ” said one staffer.”

From the LATimes.com

These people are evil, shortsighted and addicted to power. Don’t vote for any Republicans in any races next year regardless of your personal politics- it’s the only way they wil get the message that the environment is the problem we face this century.

David Sassoon writes:

“With this e-mail, I want to introduce myself and bring you a most important story from Bali, Indonesia that is not being reported in the US media.

It comes from an eyewitness who tells the dramatic tale of how the nations of the world, assembled there to make progress on climate change, overcame the singular obstruction of the Bush delegation.

“Then occurred one of the most remarkable sounds that has perhaps ever been heard in the annals of international diplomacy–like a collective global groan–descending then to a murmer, then increasing in volume to a full-throated expression of rage and anger and booing and jeering, lasting for a full minute, so that finally the Minister had to call the meeting back to order.”

It brought tears to my eyes. Please read it. The link is here:

Of course, I would like everyone in America to read this story, so please amplify it in every way possible.

I hope you find the story of interest, and will also take a minute to look around and get acquainted with my blog called SolveClimate.”

Thanks, Dave.