Names Two Strong Climate Scientists to other Posts
Cross-posted from WattHead – Energy News and Commentary
President-elect Barack Obama has tapped green jobs and immigrant rights champion Representative Hilda Solis (D-CA) to head his Labor Department, according to the Associated Press.
Representative Solis was the key sponsor of the Green Jobs Act of 2007 and has been a vocal champion in the House of Representatives for investments in a new, clean energy economy that can spark new innovation and offer pathways out of poverty for millions of Americans.
Upon passage of the Green Jobs Act, Representative Solis, who represents heavily Hispanic portions of eastern Los Angeles County and east L.A highlighted the “opportunity to advance not only the energy security of our nation, but also the economic security of our families. Through targeted job training efforts,” she said, “we can support both our nation’s innovation and technological leadership and lift people out of poverty.”
As AP reports, the Democratic congresswoman was just elected to her fifth term . She is the daughter of Mexican and Nicaraguan immigrants and has been the only member of Congress of Central American descent.
[Update: 1:29 PM, PST]: Two other nominations were made public today, both scientists with strong records as climate change advocates.
Dr. Stephen Holdren, a professor at Harvard University and the President and Director of Woods Hole Research Center, a major center of climate science, will head the White House Office of Science Technology and Policy.
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, a prominent environmental scientist and marine ecologist at Oregon State University has been selected to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dr. Lubchenco has studied the effects of climate change on marine species and co-chaired Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski’s Advisory Group on Global Warming which recommended actions the state could take to cut global warming pollution.
Official announcements of the appointments are expected from the Obama transition team in the next few days.
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My heart just skipped a beat…Jane Lubchenco is my favorite! If you get a chance, y’all should read her article “Entering the Century of the Environment: A New Social Contract for Science.”
Yes, after less-than-inspiring picks like Salazar and LaHood yesterday, today’s picks are reassuring and indeed pretty outstanding: three major allies now with key federal roles. It’s been kind of a roller coaster, watching the nomination process, but today was a good day.
The fact that so much of the Obama administration and so many people he’s appointing support green jobs and many other demands of our movement makes me wonder if we don’t need to consider how we can escalate our demands more and push the administration further in the near future.
John Holdren talks here at a recent closed-door climate meeting about his take on skeptics, bad climate language and what we need to do. A good inside view.
http://usclimateaction.org/userfiles/flash/Holdren.html
It’s from the American Response to Climate Change Conference held at The Wild Center.
Not to mention defining what exactly a “green” job is. The term is so vague companies can get away with calling just about anything a green job. It drives me crazy when people are calling for billions to be given to Ford and GM, the very companies that fought tooth and nail against emissions regulations, to make slightly more efficient vehicles. Is that really the best we can come up with, corporate welfare for some of the worst climate criminals in the country to help them green up their image?