Clinton Names Climate Envoy

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/clinton-names-climate-envoy/

January 26, 2009, 1:17 pm

Clinton Names Climate Envoy

By Kate Galbraith

Citing the “complex, urgent and global threat of climate change,” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today appointed a special envoy for climate change, who will lead the United States in international climate negotiations.

http://www.americanprogress.org/experts/SternTodd.html">Todd Stern, a climate negotiator during Bill Clinton’s presidency and more recently a fellow at the Center for American Progress, will assume the role.

“We have no shortage of evidence that our world is facing a climate crisis,” said Mrs. Clinton, who went on to attribute a large part of the problem to the burning of fossil fuels.

The appointment caps off a day of aggressive environmental moves by the Obama administration. Together they signal a sharp break from the Bush administration, which took little action to mitigate climate change. Earlier in the day, President Obama http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/us/politics/27calif.html">called for swift action on California’s bid for stricter tailpipe emissions standards in automobiles, and to accelerate the timetable for raising national fuel-efficiency standards.

…

[patricia92243]

1. I'm surprised that comes under the State Department?? n/m

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. Well, it has to do with negotiating with other countries. (Right?)

Who better than the state department?

[stuntcat]

4. it's totally a question of national security

it's an issue that should be addressed by every department of govt. We were idiot moron assholes to not come together on this before.

It's about time for evolution to speed up right NOW

[liberal N proud]

2. What was that?

A Secretary of State that recognizes the environment and it's role in foreign relations?


After the last eight years, the planet sighs!

[polichick]

5. Does anyone have an opinion about this guy, based on past work...

...such as Kyoto during the Clinton administration. I've had jury duty and am just hearing about this appointment.

[kristopher]

6. Bush removed him because he was effective

He got Kyoto through and was doing of good job of building international consensus for tightening it up and follow on action.

Todd Stern is a Senior Fellow at American Progress, focusing on climate change and environmental issues. He is a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, where he is Vice Chair of the firm's Public Policy and Strategy practice.

As Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary in the White House from 1993 to 1998, Stern played a central role in preparing the key issues of domestic, economic and national security policy for the President's decisions. He also coordinated the Administration's Initiative on Global Climate Change from 1997 to 1999, acting as the senior White House negotiator at the Kyoto and Buenos Aires negotiations. At Treasury, from 1999 to 2001, Stern advised the Secretary on the policy and politics of a broad range of economic and financial issues.

After leaving the Government, Stern served as an Adjunct Lecturer at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and as a Resident Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Stern graduated with Highest Honors from Dartmouth College in 1973, and with Honors from Harvard Law School in 1977. He is also a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
http://www.americanprogress.org/experts/SternTodd.html

[polichick]

7. THANKS! Great news!!!