Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
P
RESIDENT
O
BAMA
'
S
C
LIMATE
A
CTION
P
LAN
Jane A. Leggett
S
UMMARY
On June 25, 2013, President Obama announced a national plan to
reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases
(GHG), as well as to encourage adaptation to expected climate change.
The President affirmed his commitment to his 2009 policy pledge to
reduce U.S. GHG emissions by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 if all
other major economies agreed to limit their emissions as well. In 2011,
the United States' gross GHG emissions were approximately 7% below
their 2005 levels.
The President stated a willingness to work with Congress toward
enacting a bipartisan, market-based scheme to reduce GHG emissions. He
also said that he would move ahead with Executive Branch actions in the
absence of Congressional support. The President's Climate Action Plan
lays out a series of measures in three categories:
Cut carbon pollution in America.
Prepare the United States for the impacts of climate change.
Lead international efforts to address global climate change.
