John Holdren to be named Obama's Science Adviser

Here's a pretty cool article he wrote back in '03 that summarizes his main beliefs.

It seems he wants to set a target of 550 ppm, a bit high for my taste but then again he seems very cautious about taking into account effects on economy and energy security.

I particularly liked this part:

I believe that we need a doubling or tripling of US Federal support for research, development, and demonstration; a tripling or quadrupling of US assistance on low-emission energy technologies to developing countries; a prompt closing of the loophole for light trucks and SUVs in the US CAFÉ standards, followed by ramping up the fleet-average mileage requirement to 40 mpg by 2015; and, most important but also most difficult to achieve, either a gradually escalating carbon tax or a gradually tightening emissions cap implemented through tradable permits.

I'm wondering if he has scaled this back since the recession took hold...

TargetCO2_20080407.pdf

that took me 10 mins to find and that was just the 2008 stuff. i have to sort out my bookmarks!

I hate to admit it, but I'm a bit out of the loop in terms of current events and Obama's cabinet picks.  What are Holdren's credentials?  That's definitely a great thing that he's a staunch scientist though.

That's what I'm thinking most about. What effect does $1.60/gallon gas have on consumer demands, and where will climate fall in the triage of priorities while our pockets are this shallow.

Regardless - can't wait to get Obama going so we can find out :)

Merry Christmas one and all!

couple of good quotes from the guardian article on this;

"Today, more than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation," Obama announced. "It's time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and ... worked to restore America's place as the world leader in science and technology."

In one telling remark, he added that respect for the scientific process was not "just about providing investment and resources. It's about ensuring that facts and evidence are never twisted nor obscured by politics nor ideology."

and it says 'respected climatologist Jane Lubchenco is to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.' apparently she is a marine specialist and has warned about acidification and overexploitation.

looking better and better!

Another climate change kook. Thanks Obama. In just 30 short days he's already established himself and the biggest duffus to be elected President. I wonder if we will survive the next 47 months or shorter if they can get a hold of his Kenyan birth certificate. :)