Combating climate change : do we really have two strikes against us?

Over two years ago, in October 2010, I blogged about the implosion of the unusual triumvirate of Senators John Kerry, Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman-- formed to combat global warming. (I suggest you glance at my comments.)

The issue is hardly dead with the release just a few weeks ago that level of carbon dioxide, the key warming gas, has hit 400 parts per million in our atmosphere.

The consequences are dire:  they include droughts, floods and rising ocean levels, and other disastrous consequences.

This past week, two prominent leaders have come forward to urge combating global warming.

Senator Barbara Boxer of California gave an impassioned speech on the senate floor urging our nation to unite on taking steps to curb climate change.

Christine Lagarde head of the International Monetary Fund, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal,  was asked about the magnitude of the economic risk posed by climate change. She responded:  "It's a massive risk and its a huge opportunity and for the moment, we are ignoring both risk and opportunity associated with it."

She went on to urge governments not to encourage massive consumption of fossil energy. "The opportunities are huge, with the spending that is saved re-orientated  toward infrastructure, education, health, you name it."

 Congress has failed to pass tough legislation to curb atmospheric pollution.

Yet, a recent editorial in the New York Times suggests that all is not hopeless.

The President can take executive action to execute a "robust climate strategy."

He can "invoke the E.P.A.'s authority under the Clean Air Act to limit pollution from stationary industrial sources, chiefly the power plants that account for almost 40 percent of the country's carbon emissions."

He can also have the E.P.A. curb the "enormous leakage of methane, a potent global warming agent, from gas wells and the pipes that bring natural gas to consumers."

In addition, "he can order the Energy Department  to embark on a major program to improve the efficiency of appliances and commercial and residential buildings which consume a huge chunk of the country's energy supply. And he can ramp up investment in basic research."

It's high time we get started on an climate changing program-- and especially in concert with other industrially polluting nations.