Since President Barack Obama is in office, it seems that environmental policy became an important value in the U.S.-politics. After his election in 2008 — he promised “change” in his campaign — many things truly changed.
Since President Georg W. Bush did not care too much for the environmental policy, his successors in office have a lot of work to do. For instance, Obama has to reduce the CO2-emissions and to support renewable energy projects like solar energy electric power stations to keep up with the rest of the world. However, most of the time, President Obama had to deal with threatening and tough topics as unemployment, health insurance and worldwide terrorism—in his first term as well as in his second one.
This term paper deals with Obama's second term and analyses the steps taken in the environmental politics since his re-election. As an introduction, we will have a closer look at the problems in the U.S.-politics since 2012
Table of Contents
1. Preface: Do big problems like terrorism detract from environmental policy?
1.1 Are US-citizens actually interested in green policy?
1.2 Overview of Obama’s self-concept and fulfilled aims in his first term
2. Structures of the environmental policy in the USA
2.1 Different official institutions, their competences and resulting collisions
2.2 Overview of varieties of environmental policies
3. Selected examples for Obama’s environmental policy in his 2nd term
3.1 Initiatives in the energy and climate policy
3.2 Initiatives to protect landscape
3.3 Initiatives to protect animals
3.4 Healthcare-initiatives
3.5 Science and distribution of information
3.6 Problems and challenges
4. Conclusion: Obama is going green. Will the U.S. follow?
4.1 No, the U.S. will not follow, if…
4.2 Yes, the U.S. will follow, if…
5. Appendix
5.1 Figures
5.3 Sources
5.3.1 Literature and printed sources
5.3.2 Internet sources
5.3.3 Pictures and statistics
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the environmental policy initiatives undertaken during President Barack Obama's second term in office. It analyzes whether these environmental goals can be effectively pursued amidst competing domestic and international political challenges, such as economic instability, foreign conflicts, and partisan gridlock.
- Analysis of the institutional structure of U.S. environmental policy.
- Evaluation of key initiatives in energy, climate, landscape, and animal protection.
- Assessment of the link between environmental policy, economic growth, and healthcare.
- Investigation of the partisan divide and the role of Executive Orders in policy implementation.
- Discussion of international cooperation, particularly regarding agreements with China.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Initiatives in the energy and climate policy
Energy and climate policy go hand in hand. Huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions are a by-product of producing energy. In 2012, 1,656.095 metric tons of CO2 were produced by consumption of coal. If you count together all energy sources, the U.S. alone emitted 5,270.422 metric tons of CO2 in 2012. That is circa one third of all greenhouse gas emissions produced in the U.S.
As a result, it is important to reduce CO2 emissions that originate from energy production. Therefore, one important issue in President Obama’s Climate Action Plan was to establish new standards for power plants. While one proposal, issued in September 2013, limits greenhouse gas emissions from new natural gas-fired plants, a second one sets new standards for new coal-fired plants. With this second proposal, scientists predict a change in energy policy: “The proposed rule thus seems to place an effective ban on the construction of new coal plants.”
Figure 6 shows that most energy used in the USA comes from oil or coal. Both resources are on top of the list of most inefficient energy sources. Most coal is used to fire power plants, most of the oil is refined to petroleum. Altogether just 38.4 percent of energy input becomes actual used energy. 59 percent is wasted energy; most of that energy is lost because of the inefficiency of the coal-fired and natural gas power plants. Only about nine percent of the whole energy demand comes from renewable sources as solar, hydro, wind, geothermal and biomass.
So Obama’s initiatives to regulate the greenhouse gas emissions might be a fine step forward. The more it gets unprofitable to run a coal-fired power plant due to the many regulations, the more the energy sector will force renewable energy sources.
Summary of Chapters
1. Preface: Do big problems like terrorism detract from environmental policy?: This chapter introduces the context of Obama's presidency, noting how urgent crises often overshadow long-term environmental commitments.
2. Structures of the environmental policy in the USA: This section details the complex institutional landscape, including various executive and legislative bodies involved in environmental regulation.
3. Selected examples for Obama’s environmental policy in his 2nd term: This chapter analyzes specific policy areas, including energy standards, landscape protection, and pollinator health, noting the administration's reliance on executive power.
4. Conclusion: Obama is going green. Will the U.S. follow?: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, weighing the prospects of future environmental progress against the challenges of political polarization and economic concerns.
5. Appendix: This section provides supplementary data, including figures on voter sentiment and energy consumption statistics.
Keywords
Environmental Policy, Barack Obama, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, U.S. Politics, Executive Order, Conservation, Biodiversity, Sustainability, Economic Growth, Partisan Conflict, Carbon Footprint, Public-Private Partnerships, Energy Infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the environmental initiatives sponsored by President Barack Obama during his second term, specifically examining how he pursued his green agenda despite a challenging domestic and political environment.
What are the primary thematic areas addressed?
The primary themes include energy and climate policy, landscape and animal conservation, the intersection of healthcare and environment, scientific research, and the political and economic hurdles to green policy implementation.
What is the ultimate goal or research question?
The core research question is: "What environmental initiatives has President Obama sponsored in his second term?" and the subsequent inquiry into whether the U.S. political landscape will follow his environmental direction.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The paper employs a policy analysis approach, synthesizing reports, legislative data, and statistical figures to evaluate the impact and scope of the administration's environmental strategies.
What does the main body of the work explore?
The main body explores the institutional structure of U.S. policy, specific conservation efforts, international climate agreements like the one with China, and the tension between environmental goals and economic interests.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key terms include Environmental Policy, Barack Obama, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, and U.S. Politics.
How does President Obama circumvent congressional opposition?
The paper highlights that President Obama frequently utilizes his executive power, such as issuing Executive Orders and directives to cabinet agencies, to bypass congressional gridlock.
What role does international pressure play in U.S. environmental policy?
The author argues that international pressure, such as the agreement with China and future U.N. climate summits, serves as an important catalyst that may influence domestic U.S. policies.
How does the paper categorize the obstacles to green policy?
Obstacles are categorized into ideological conflicts (partisan division), economic fears regarding job losses and GDP, and logistical challenges like the limitations of the current electrical grid.
Why are honeybees a significant focus in this research?
Honeybees are discussed as a case study for biodiversity loss and the link between environmental health and economic productivity, as their pollination services contribute significantly to U.S. agriculture.
- Citation du texte
- Thomas Klotz (Auteur), 2015, What Environmental Initiatives has President Obama Sponsored in his Second Term?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/333759
