In an article on the HuffingtonPost the author of “Hot, Flat and Crowded” and New York Times journalist Tom Friedman was interviewed about Obamas future challenge in the Energy/Climate field. Friedman was asked to give a specific example on how to tackle this challenge:
“DB: You’ve said we’re in a unique moment, so maybe this is a ridiculous question, but is there any kind of historical model we can look to — any country that dealt with both the economy and the environment in crisis?
TF: The model I give in the book is little Denmark, because in 1973 Denmark was the other country that got hit with the Arab oil embargo. They got hit so hard they stopped sunday driving. You couldn’t drive in Denmark on sunday.
They said, “We’re never going to be in that situation again.” They instituted a gasoline tax. Gas costs $10 a gallon in Denmark today. And they instituted a CO2 tax. You go to your electric bill in Denmark and you actually see “CO2 tax.”
They bit the bullet, they designed a program that would both diminish on a steady basis their energy use per unit of GDP and they stimulated a huge green energy industry. There are only 5 million people in Denmark, yet they produce one out of every three wind turbines and they have the top two cellulosic enzyme companies in the world. That should be us. That should be us.”
One of the first tasks for a new incoming American administration is to get the right person for the right job. The first position as Chief of Staff in the White House is taken (not without raising suspicion in some circles in this region) – so no need to apply for that. But on the Transition Project homepage the President-elect is calling for applications from interested people for the 7000+ jobs to be filled. Apparently according to the electronic application form you don’t have to be American citizen, so why not give it a try if you feel you have something to contribute?
The transition homepage is a treasure chest of information. It is also very instructive in explaining the functioning of this important part of the American democracy. The “Survivor’s Guide” for potential nominees in the new administration gives an in-depth description of the do’s and dont’s for potential newcomers to Washington.
The really interesting part is the description of the intense scrutiny many nominees are subjected to in order to make sure that that their personal integrity and moral habitus is in order. Conflict of interest, mishaps in their past and their respect of the division of power between the Executive and the Legislative is scrutinised to the highest degree. Makes one wonder how many government officials would be able to pass such a test in other countries? I think the transparency this process enforces in the Executive Branch is something a lot of countries should be inspired by.
I recommend reading the survival guide for the funny and enlightening real life anecdotes and for its very illustrative example of how to uproot corruption before it takes place. For those applying for jobs in the Obama-administration you might want to pay extra attention to the relocation chapter and the specific list of what public employees are entitled to and not (it is not much – you have to be devoted to be a public servant).
It’s hard not to be influenced by the high hopes the election of Barack Obama has inspired to the Middle East. I my private non scientific survey among colleagues, Jordanian friends and professional contacts in Amman I have not been able to find one single voice that regrets the election of Obama. Media, blogs, homepages and people are univocal in their praise. The enthusiasm in Jordan that has surrounded the American election has been impressive.
Amidst all the high hopes I fear that Obama can not but disappoint his many supporters in this region and in Europe. He will be facing a though time in the near future – giving priority to setting up his administration, dealing with the financial crisis, the US budget (deficit) – in short getting his priorities right and converting election promises into real policies. I am not convinced that Obama’s priorities on the shorter term will be the same as his Middle Eastern supporters. Patience will be needed not to create disappointment.
One of the issues where the Obama/Biden campaign has been much more aggressive than the McCain/Palin is on the climate change issue. Obama’s “New Energy for America” strategy looks mostly promising. It seems evident that Obama looks at energy both from a climate change and a security angle. Like Jordan the American president-elect will reduce his country’s dependence on imported energy and shift energy production towards renewable energy sources. His goals are ambitious. Eliminate current (fuel) imports from the Middle East and Venezuela within 10 years andensure 10 percent of electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012 and 25 percent by 2025. At the same time he wants to create 5 million green collar (nice expression) jobs in clean energy. And the biggest energy savings will some from energy conservation mesures. In short he wants USA to become a leader in climate change. So does my country – as long as the US is seriously striving to meet ambitious goals.
I guess that these initiatives will not be well received by some of the traditional US allies but from my point of view the US as the biggest emitter of greenhouse gasses should lead the way towards a more environmental sustainable societal model. The first litmus test will be America’s stance on the way to the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen next year. One thing is for sure – we all need to be ambitious and push for the climate change we need.
Posted by Thomas Lund-Sørensen 
Posted by Thomas Lund-Sørensen 
Posted by Thomas Lund-Sørensen 
