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Barack Obama began his first full week as president by proposing new approaches to economic stimulus and environmental and energy policy. One of the most visible elements of the new approach to these issues was the appointment of Todd Stern to the new position of special envoy for climate change. The position sounds promising, but raises several questions, most significantly, what are the duties of this new post and is Mr. Stern qualified to meet them.
Basically, the special envoy for climate change is the administration's chief negotiator on issues related to the climate and global warming. He will represent the White House in United Nations discussions as well as in other smaller groups and sessions. After his appointment was announced by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Stern said that his new position shows that there is "no doubt...a new day is dawning in the U.S. approach to climate change and clean energy. The time for denial, delay and dispute is over."
Fortunately, Todd Stern has experience in climate negotiations that will help him in his new role. He served as chief climate negotiator during Bill Clinton's presidency and most recently was a fellow at the Center for American Progress.
Some, however, have criticized the appointment, arguing that Stern's views on stopping climate change do not substantial differ from those of George W. Bush. When it comes to cap and trade deals, for example, Stern has said that they are too costly. He has also expressed frustrations over the current U.N. climate negotiations system, calling it a "quagmire." Instead, he has proposed a league of eight nations that would make decisions and "dangle carrots" to convince others to comply.
Regardless of Stern's previous opinions, we can only hope that Clinton was correct when she declared that his appointment shows "that the United States will be energetic, focused, strategic and serious about addressing global climate change and the corollary issue of clean energy."
For more environmental news, check out Focus Earth: January 31, 2009: Ambassador for Change and a Call to Action.
Read more about politics and climate change:
Focus on Focus Earth: Obama's Green Team
Focus on Focus Earth: Barack Obama's Green White House
Too Little, Too Late? McCain v. Obama on Global Warming
