Monday, May 12, 2008

Next President Supports Cap and Trade

McCain reiterated his support for a cap-and-trade system for global warming pollution today in Oregon (see the NYT article). While the cuts he proposes are weaker than those many scientists say are necessary to avoid major catastrophes from global warming, it underscores one of the big reasons that I am confident that we can pass a good global warming bill in the next congress. Regardless of whether he, Obama, or Clinton win on November 4, the executive for the next 4 years will be a public supporter of a mandatory global warming pollution cap, making a veto much less likely (even for a bill stronger than that proposed by McCain).

The challenge will be less about getting any global warming bill passed (that much is almost guaranteed), and much more about making sure the bill that does pass is strong enough to match modern science in terms of the speed and magnitude of cuts. Other concerns include avoiding loopholes, leaving out big pay-offs to losing industries like coal (such as major funding for CO2 sequestration), and making sure we make polluters pay for the pollution allowances, rather than giving them away for free (which would reward those who are polluting the most).

The presidential and congressional elections going on right now across the country are setting the stage for the fight that will go down in the next year or two over national global warming policy. As support for a mandatory cap continues to build momentum, more and more of the opposition will shift their strategies from attempting to discredit global warming to cutting their losses by settling early for a weak bill intended to stall stronger action. It will be fascinating to see the nuanced messaging that comes from all sides on this issue. No word is accidental!

1 comment:

Ecowriter said...

I admire your dedication to this world-changing issue. Maybe you should try your luck at the source - Washington D.C.!