Keys to Copenhagen Found in Past Environment Talks Thursday, December 10, 2009
Negotiating environmental treaties between countries is never easy, given how complex science, combined with national pride and international peer pressure can mutate noble beginnings into a contentious, geo-political mess. With seminal climate change negotiations taking place this week in Denmark, it may be worth remembering those who went before – namely, global environmental treaties of the 1980s and early 1990s that created much of the plenary and organizational foundation on which the current talks stand. As good a primer as any on the subject is retired Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Richard Smith’s new book “Negotiating Environment and Science,” which details his ... More
Introduction: Energy Intelligence Tracks Obama's New Energy Policy
New US President Barack Obama has taken the energy business by storm. Rating the sector second only to the economy in his priorities, the new president is pursuing his vision of a new energy economy that includes reducing US dependence on foreign oil, restructuring the transport sector, developing alternative energies and addressing climate change. If successful, the policy will amount to nothing short of a revolution for the energy industry, with repercussions around the world. At the same time, key aspects of Obama's foreign policy are interwoven with the energy sector, particularly his pledge to advance the Mideast peace process and adopt a new approach to Iran. Obama will not be able to push through his entire energy agenda, nor achieve all his goals. But by moving swiftly on all fronts after taking office Jan. 20, he aims to make maximum use of high approval ratings and strong executive power. This special section explores the energy and foreign policy issues at play.