Obama’s Sustainable Development challenges; how will he do it?

by Amy Judd | January 16, 2009 at 01:06 pm

1293 views | 22 Recommendations | 19 comments

As January 20th approaches and Barack Obama prepares to be sworn in, the reality of the sustainiable development challenges will set in, and he will have to find a way to achieve the goals he set out for himself. As the US is in a recession, many believe that Obama will not be able to reach these lofty goals, so how is he going to achieve them?

One way, is to look at economic woes through sustainable development.

He has already pledged to spend US$ 150 billion over the next ten years on sustainable energy practices, such as wind power and solar power. This alone is estimated to create about 5 million jobs. It is also expected that he will aim for doubling the already existing alternative energy production by 2012, and to upgrade about 75% of existing government buildings to make them more 'energy friendly'. He also wants to look at improving energy efficiency in about 2 million homes across the country.

"In the process, we will put Americans to work in new jobs that pay well and can't be outsourced," he said, referring to sustainability efforts that "will lead to even more jobs, more savings and a cleaner, safer planet in the bargain," including the building of solar panels, wind turbines, fuel-efficient cars and buildings, and the development of low-carbon technologies.

He has asked Congress to speedily enact a stimulus package, which some analysts say could cost more than US$ 800 billion. He believes that without urgent action, America "could lose the competitive edge that has served as a foundation for our strength and standing in the world," along with facing a lingering recession and high unemployment.

“In this crisis, doing too little poses a greater threat than doing too much,” said Lawrence Summers, a member of Obama’s economic team and who will soon head the White House’s National Economic Council.

It seems as if other countries are starting to follow suit and realize the benefit of investing in their country's future now - even if it means more money up front, it will mean bigger savings for everyone in the long run; not to mention better for the environment as well.
Many critics think that Obama needs to step in and regulate the car companies better, as they are the ones that can really change the country's dependence on oil. If fuel-efficient cars are starting to be made now, then people can start to save now and practices can start to change.
Although this is a bad time for the economy for Americans, this is also an opportunity to implement new sustainablity programs and focus on the future as a long term goal; not as a short term oil fix.
Obama, as the next President of the most influencial nation on earth, needs to not only lead America, but it seems like he must lead the planet, as what this country does will set a standard for other countries around the world.

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shollingsworth

at 14:49 on January 16th, 2009

shollingsworth has contributed a photo to this story.

pbyi

at 15:04 on January 16th, 2009

Picture taken from the 27th floor of a hotel in Manhattan, New York, in the first week of January 2009. A few days before Obama becomes President of the United States, the nation of cars watches automakers being threatened by recession and the promise of a green economic order...

pbyi has contributed a photo to this story.

mumphalee

at 17:11 on January 16th, 2009

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coopsgirl22

at 17:26 on January 16th, 2009

This photo was taken in July 2008 while traveling in a big rig truck. Interestingly enough, a truck driver is really in a proverbial pickle with both the economy and the issue of sustainable resources. After all, fuel prices are high and have been higher; smog requirements are becoming more stringent; the economy is damaged, to say the least; and the independent truck driver is left in a bind. They can't afford to make their wage-earning truck more fuel efficient or smog legal. So, said truck driver is left in a position whereas he cannot earn wages and contribute to the economy; or the driver is forced to raise what he charges his customers, further damaging the economy. And, one last note: so many aspects of US commerce is largely dependent on the truck driver.

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Amy Judd

at 17:28 on January 16th, 2009

Good points actually.

coopsgirl22

at 17:37 on January 16th, 2009

I am eager to see how Obama will handle the difficult economic and environmental issues we as a nation are facing.

Amy Judd

at 17:42 on January 16th, 2009

Me too, as right now he is filled with promises and what some would call lofty goals that cannot be achieved, but really he has some room to plan and aim for a long term plan, so hopefully that will give him and his team enough time to work things out.

A. Tran

at 20:03 on January 16th, 2009

I think one of the less glamorous and least publicized area is to create jobs for many states by supporting the repair and renovation the states' infrastructures such as bridges, roads, mass transit, and sewage systems. These jobs can not be outsourced which in turn will boost the local economy. It also fits well in Mr. Obama's plan to deliver some 2.5 million jobs by 2011.

This was one of the main reasons that Mr. Obama met with the governors in Philadelphia on Dec.2 as reported on NP.

I also think Mr. Obama will need a cooperative Congress to pass the latest economic stimulus that was proposed by Mr. Bush at the request of Mr. Obama.

Bob_ Perry

at 20:25 on January 16th, 2009

For five years I belonged to the San Diego Police Department's Traffic Division volunteer patrol. We drove white patrol cars (you can see it in the background) and responded to crashes and other traffic problems to provide traffic control or traffic direction. When not directing traffic we were looking for cars involved in hit and runs at the addresses they were registered at. When we found one we had it impounded. Each car carried fifty traffic cones in the trunk; eight barricades where the seat use to be along with eight stop sigs; a box or two of thirty minute flares; portable radios; and a signal box key allowing us to put traffic lights on flash. This crash as at Euclid and Market.

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aelusive

at 21:15 on January 16th, 2009

I feel bad for him. He has a lots of problems. Plus the terrorists view him as weakling.

A. Tran

at 21:57 on January 16th, 2009

I'm reasonably certain that Mr. Obama understood the mountain of problems that await him on Jan. 21, which was why he went to Ohio earlier to talk about his economic proposal - days before his Inauguration.

To his credit, Mr. Obama has moved at great speed by appointing key cabinet and White House staff by the time he is sworn in, unlike the chaos that followed Mr. Clinton's inauguration.

Uwe Paschen

at 22:14 on January 16th, 2009

Hope for the best expect the worth may be realistic in the light of all that is happening in regards to the Environment, the economy and Internationally as well as domestically.

Milieunet

at 23:07 on January 16th, 2009

Well, the plan is already made by Al Gore. He called it Repower America:

http://www.stichtingmilieunet.nl/andersbekekenblog/?p=6017

ilightingsolutions

at 06:47 on January 17th, 2009

Solar technology will be a major contributor to the economic boost. Obama's strategic initiatives are a positive reminder that hard work pays off, so let's see what's in store for 2009. While on the subject of solar, if you are a land owner or property manager, you should look into the local and federal financial incentives available to you or find out when they will be most lucrative. Stay on top of the latest solar incentives so you can take advantage of what the country has to offer.

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Terry Mock (not verified)

at 07:45 on January 17th, 2009

Sustainable Land Development: Building a Bridge to a New Global Culture
http://www.sldtonline.com/content/view/580/1/ Amid all the bad news and demands being placed on the President-elect Obama transition team, Sustainable Land Development International (SLDI) offers a reason to hope for the future by formally submitting its offer of assistance to help boost the team's economic recovery plan and policy agenda – and save the country billions in the process - http://www.sldi.org/Pressreleases/pressrelease122308.html In a transparent and public proposal to the Obama team, SLDI has offered a public-private partnership, its Sustainable Land Development Best Practices System, and the breadth of its research and collective knowledge to combat the country’s economic woes, enhance environmental stewardship and increase social responsibility - all at the same time.
SLDI, a developer-led and cooperatively-owned technology and information resource association, is now fully positioned to transform the industry that creates the very infrastructure of our civilization. Sustainable development starts with our global infrastructure. If it is unsustainable, ultimately nothing else can be. Featured products and services include green building technology, clean energy technology, ecosystem restoration, carbon sequestration technology, soil enhancement technology, water purification and retention technology, sustainable land development best practices systems and certification programs.

Your participation and comments are welcome.

Terry Mock
Executive Director
Sustainable Land Development International
www.SLDI.org
SLDI Newsletter - http://www.sldi.org/newService/SLDIJan2009.html

Promoting and enabling land development worldwide that balances the needs of people, planet & profit - for today and future generations.

Hopenow

at 14:41 on January 17th, 2009

I think the knowledge and will is out there and just needs to be harnessed. Bailing out failing industries and technologies is probably a mistake, and this money could be put to better use.

lefty_liberated

at 07:30 on January 18th, 2009

Michael Moore said that congress could have negotiated with the car industry, during the bail out negotiations, to require them to build more feul efficent/electric/hybrid cars to get the money. This obviously wasn't a priority for the previous administration, but I really think Barack Obama will be as progressive as we expect in this regard.

solarMD

at 10:30 on January 18th, 2009

What can happen to a solar panel --when it is sited near tall trees.
Two things that proved detrimental for solar power production:
a fallen branch pierced and shattered a panel, knocking it out of alignment; leaves, pine needles and debris covered the panels.

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Pluton Karas

at 01:28 on February 2nd, 2009

I am a resident of Second Life. This photograph is of a free solar panel made available to Second Life residents by Delia Lake. Second Life is a virtual world in which residents construct everything in the environment. Delia Lake designed and constructed a simulation of a nature preserve based on the geography, flora and fauna of the Pais Vasco, the Basque Country of Northern Spain. To learn more about Delia's efforts to raise ecological awareness through Second Life visit my blog at plutonkaras.blogspot.com

Pluton Karas has contributed a photo to this story.