The State of the Climate Change Debate

The most rapid climate solutions are in energy efficiency, which can pay immediate dividends by lowering electricity and transportation fuel costs. For example, Wal-Mart estimates that if each of their 100 million customers bought just one compact fluorescent light bulb to replace an incandescent bulb, those customers would save a combined $3 billion in energy costs over the life of the bulbs (which can be as long as 20 years). In the longer term, someone who installs solar panels on their rooftop can pay for the investment in as little as 7 years, after which they are harvesting free electricity that is more reliable than the grid. Looking even longer term, when we retire coal-fired electricity generators and petroleum powered cars and trucks, we save money on the replacement fuels and even more on health care costs related to air pollution and the massive subsidies we now pay to the fossil fuel and nuclear industries.

Isn't seven years a long time for the average American who's trying to put kids through school and food on the table?

People save money on electric bills immediately by installing more efficient light bulbs; save money for families and businesses at the gas pump immediately by driving in more fuel-efficient ways (you'll find tips here); and so on. Of course, investing in things like solar panels may take many years to pay back, but that investment not only saves money in the long run, it guarantees energy pricing and insulates consumers from blackouts and price spikes in the future.

What about the impact of renewable energy on food prices?

The price of oil and petroleum fuels, both shrinking resources under pressure from increased demand globally, are more responsible for rising prices of food (and everything else that families buy) than using corn for ethanol. That said, many of us have predicted the problem with using crops for fuels -- my book talks about this -- and don't endorse that approach.

What would it take for the bill to pass?

Right now, it's clear that no comprehensive climate legislation will pass this Congress, but every failed attempt has been a teachable moment. We have learned what will and what won't work, from a policy and political standpoint, so going into 2009 with a new Congress and a new President gives me optimism that an effective bill can be crafted. I actually think the policies in S2191 were very close, but pork-barrel amendments were ultimately deal-killers. I think the biggest improvement needed to get this done will be a commitment by Congress to take up legislation on this defining issue of our time on its own merits, without the typical burdens imposed by largely unrelated add-ons.

Is there a presidential candidate who would be more amenable to such legislation?

Yes, but sadly he's no longer in the race! (Hint: He's the Governor of New Mexico). When I evaluated and graded each of the Presidential candidates during the primaries, Obama got a B and McCain scored only an F.

Of course either will be far better on this subject than President Bush, but that's not saying much. McCain scores so low because his solutions only tackle a portion of the problem, but to his credit, he has called on Congress to take meaningful action for years. Obama has more comprehensive policies and is the only candidate of either party to make a significant policy speech on this topic during the primaries, so I'm hopeful that he would make this a "First 100 days" priority.

While the bill is unlikely to pass this year, aren't some states rolling out similar measures on their own?

In summary, 39 states have joined the Climate Registry to measure and register the greenhouse gases emitted in their state; 33 have climate action plans (or are just completing them) that reduce greenhouse gases equivalent to countries that signed the Kyoto accord; 30 states have "Renewable Portfolio Standards" that mandate certain percentages of wind, solar, and other clean renewable energy in their electricity fuel supplies; 20 states have joined regional cap-and-trade networks; 14 states have adopted California's "clean car rule" for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from cars and light trucks; 10 states have passed laws mandating these various activities.

Our team has assisted most of these states with development and implementation of these policies and work to bring businesses and other stakeholders into the process of designing policies that are effective and cost-efficient.

If you had to pick a model state for environmental policy, would it be California?