The financial crisis, and more fundamentally, the global economic downturn, will have a big impact on our near-term efforts to deal with energy security and climate change. Full Story »
Posted by Kaizar Campwala
Levi's article represents a positive direction in rethinking energy and climate change policy, drawing in many of the global players and issues. His advocacy for diversifying sources of transportation fuel and increasind fuel effiency are most welcome, but his idea that economic factors can reasonably slow investment in alternative energy is simply unacceptable.
While Levi recognizes the problem and explores possible policy-level options, he seems to confine his thinking to traditional policymaking and financial structures and large-scale, market-based solutions. While recognizing the possibility of "green stimulus," particularly in the face of global economic collapse, the potential for current public sentiment amenable to increased 'traditional regulation,' Levi falls short of advocating for the level of dramatic change required to solve the carbon-emission problem in time. We CAN't allow our government--any government--to "kick the climate can down the road."