Down to the wire : confronting climate collapse / David - Index of
Down to the wire : confronting climate collapse / David - Index of
Down to the wire : confronting climate collapse / David - Index of
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S<br />
98 politics and governance<br />
assumptions that guided <strong>the</strong> effort were straightforward. The issue<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>climate</strong> destabilization is <strong>of</strong> such overriding importance that he<br />
would have no time for delay and procrastination. The situation<br />
called for quick, decisive, effective, and sustained federal action <strong>to</strong><br />
drastically curtail carbon emissions and deploy renewable energy.<br />
On <strong>the</strong> positive side, an effective energy and <strong>climate</strong> policy would<br />
lessen o<strong>the</strong>r problems pertaining <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> economy, security, environment,<br />
and equity.<br />
It is clear, however, that every president from now on will face<br />
many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same choices, beginning with <strong>the</strong> question <strong>of</strong> where<br />
<strong>to</strong> position <strong>climate</strong> and energy policy in <strong>the</strong>ir larger agenda. If this<br />
or future presidents regard <strong>climate</strong> policy as just ano<strong>the</strong>r problem<br />
on a long list <strong>of</strong> problems, which must <strong>the</strong>refore compete for<br />
resources, funding, and attention with many o<strong>the</strong>r issues and <strong>the</strong><br />
crisis du jour, <strong>the</strong> chances <strong>of</strong> failure on all counts will be greater. If<br />
a <strong>climate</strong> and energy policy, however, are permanently regarded as<br />
<strong>the</strong> linchpin connecting o<strong>the</strong>r issues, including policies for security,<br />
economy, environment, and justice, <strong>the</strong> road ahead will be<br />
a great deal easier, and <strong>the</strong> chances <strong>of</strong> coming through <strong>the</strong> long<br />
emergency with <strong>the</strong> nation intact will be much higher.<br />
The immediate situation that President Obama faced was rendered<br />
more diffi cult because capacity and morale in many government<br />
departments and agencies had been badly eroded in prior<br />
years. The remedy requires both engaging and retaining talented<br />
and committed people in public service and <strong>the</strong> adroit remodeling<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> machinery <strong>of</strong> government. In addition <strong>to</strong> selecting<br />
members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cabinet, President Obama made ano<strong>the</strong>r 7,000 or<br />
so appointments <strong>to</strong> positions in <strong>the</strong> federal government, including<br />
400–500 members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> White House staff and 1,200–1,300<br />
in <strong>the</strong> executive <strong>of</strong>fi ce <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> president. As always, <strong>the</strong> ability <strong>to</strong><br />
implement policy <strong>of</strong> any kind depends in large part on <strong>the</strong> intellect,<br />
experience, energy, creativity, character, and personal skills <strong>of</strong><br />
presidential appointees and White House staff. Beyond administrative<br />
and executive skills, from now on those in such positions