Right Time To Push Climate Change, Obama calls for action

For those of you who thought Climate Change was a dead issue in the US, the BP spill has created an opportunity to push for climate change.  NYTimes reports on president Obama's latest call to action.

Obama Tells Congress to 'Seize the Moment' on Climate Legislation

• By EVAN LEHMANN AND DINA FINE MARON of ClimateWire

Published: June 16, 2010

President Obama challenged the country last night to unify behind a "national mission" to reduce its reliance on oil and coal, using his first Oval Office address to pressure Congress into acting quickly on clean energy legislation.

Can you imagine being a oil industry lobbyists, trying to tell Congress why climate change is bad for the economy?

Obama promised to make the oil giant place billions into a holding account that would be used to compensate people who've lost wages, before pivoting into a sweeping promotion of a renewable power economy that would prevent future disasters like the spill while creating jobs.

"Time and again, the path forward has been blocked -- not only by oil industry lobbyists, but also by a lack of political courage and candor," Obama said. "The consequences of our inaction are now in plain sight."

"We cannot consign our children to this future," he added. "The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now. Now is the moment for this generation to embark on a national mission to unleash America's innovation and seize control of our own destiny."

The push is on for climate change.

"I think it's the right push at the right time," said David Hunter, director of U.S. policy with the International Emissions Trading Association and a former climate aide to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a key swing vote on climate legislation. "It gives an opportunity to get legislation done this summer. It's a narrow window, but it is there."

Are you ready to report your data center carbon emissions?