An Open Letter to Our Next President

Dear President-Elect Obama,

Congratulations on a historic victory. The economy and Iraq will no doubt be high on your agenda when you enter the Oval Office, but a number of environmental issues need attention too. Here are four initiatives for your consideration.

1. Use Economic Stimulus to Stimulate Low-Carbon Energies

A major theme of your campaign has been investing in renewable and low-carbon (C) energy to attain energy independence and address climate change. You have also recommended another stimulus package to energize our economy. Why not do both for the price of one? Revive the economy by investing in new low-C energy technologies.

And what about the $700 billion bailout package? Why not use that to further investments in alternative energy? Why not require that companies and banks receiving bailout dollars target a small percentage of their future investments to renewable energy?

2. Invest in New Infrastructure by Retooling Our Energy Infrastructure

America's infrastructure is aging, some even say crumbling. The time to rebuild has come. In fact, funding infrastructure construction is undoubtedly one of the levers you will use to strengthen the economy - think FDR here. But the need to bolster our infrastructure also presents a great opportunity to ramp up renewable energy sources. Go for it.

Click here for the rest of Dr. Bill Chameides's suggestions to president-elect Obama.

Dr. Bill Chameides is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. He blogs at thegreengrok.com.

Comments

[FreeEnergy]

I hope Obama follows through on his promises to lead America into Energy Independence. This past year the high cost of gas has strained our economy and damaged our society. Between fueling our vehicles and paying more for every consumer product there was little to no money left over for saving or investing. People are losing jobs and homes in record high numbers. Gas comes down, OPEC cuts production and gas will be rising again soon. WE have spent trillions on bail outs and stimulus checks. Our nation needs to invest in renewable energy and strive to become energy independent. Wind,solar and electric cars could replace a huge percentage of imported oil. We could produce cheap electricity and at the same time create millions of badly needed jobs. Renewable energy would be a win-win situation for our nation. Jeff Wilson just wrote a book called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW. I highly recommend this book for anyone concerned about our economy and our dependence on foreign oil. http://www.themanhattanprojcetof2009.com

[heyjudith]

hey judith--here. wounderful that obama won!!! now let us really change the politics of this nation and the way the president is elected!!! LET US DO AWAY WITH THE ELECTORIAL COLLEGE!!!!! the "college" was formulated when the nation was very young for reasons that were useful THEN!! TODAY IT IS ANTIQUATED!! every four years there are articales that it should be done away with. now, with all the talk of change and streamlining government--now is the time to initiate the process to do away with the electorial college. i am interested in finding people who know how to carry this ball and run with it!!!!