“GOING GREEN”: THE U.S. DEVELOPMENT OF A GREEN ECONOMY “GOING GREEN”: THE U.S. DEVELOPMENT OF A GREEN ECONOMY U.S. Consulate Milan Natalie Harden February 22, 2012

WALL-E’s World

Why Do We Need to “Go Green”?  Global warming  Energy security  Energy costs  Economic growth

Hungry for Energy?  Americans produce and consume more energy than any other nation and consume more energy per capita than most nations.  The U.S. is the 2 nd largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, after China. EU is third.  Traditional energy sources (gas, oil) are becoming more scarce and will eventually be exhausted.

“I am convinced that whoever builds a clean energy economy, whoever is at the forefront of that, is going to own the 21st century global economy. “I am convinced that whoever builds a clean energy economy, whoever is at the forefront of that, is going to own the 21st century global economy. Last year, we made the largest investment in clean energy in our history. Last year, we made the largest investment in clean energy in our history. It's an investment that's already leading to new jobs and new businesses across the country.” PRESIDENT OBAMA ON ENERGY POLICY President Obama at Meeting with Governors on Energy Policy. February 3, 2010

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION GREEN ENERGY GOALS 1.Job Creation 2.Reduction of energy consumption & Diversification of energy sources 3.Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

COPENHAGEN CONFERENCE COPENHAGEN CONFERENCE “If America leads in developing clean energy, we will lead in growing our economy, in putting our people back to work, and in leaving a stronger and more secure country to our children.” “If America leads in developing clean energy, we will lead in growing our economy, in putting our people back to work, and in leaving a stronger and more secure country to our children.” President Obama at Copenhagen Conference, December 18, 2009 President Obama at Copenhagen Conference, December 18, 2009

“We’ll invest…in clean energy technology – an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people. “We’ll invest…in clean energy technology – an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people. We’ve begun to reinvent our energy policy…We’re issuing a challenge. We’re telling America’s scientists and engineers that if they assemble teams of the best minds in their fields, and focus on the hardest problems in clean energy, we’ll fund the Apollo projects of our time.” We’ve begun to reinvent our energy policy…We’re issuing a challenge. We’re telling America’s scientists and engineers that if they assemble teams of the best minds in their fields, and focus on the hardest problems in clean energy, we’ll fund the Apollo projects of our time.” OBAMA’S ENERGY POLICY – STATE OF THE UNION 2011 President Obama gave the annual “State of the Union” speech on January 26, 2011

 "As we recover from this recession, the transition to clean energy has the potential to grow our economy and create millions of jobs - but only if we accelerate that transition. Only if we seize the moment." - President Barack Obama

OBAMA GREEN ENERGY INITIATIVES  Stimulus Package: $80 billion dollars for the development of clean energy technologies  Target of reducing emissions 17% by 2020 and 83% by 2050  25% of electricity from renewables by 2025  The largest U.S. consumer of energy (the U.S. government) to reduce its emissions 28% by 2020  Call on Congress to pass Clean Energy Legislation to cut emissions

OBAMA GREEN ENERGY INITIATIVES  Target of 80% of America’s electricity to come from clean energy sources by 2035  Call on Congress to cut billions of $ in subsidies to oil companies  Target of 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015  Call on Congress to explore and promote all kinds of alternative energy – wind, solar, nuclear, clean coal and natural gas

And What Else?  40% increase in vehicle fuel efficiency by 2020  Five-fold increase in biofuel supply by 2022  Phase-out of incandescent bulb sales in  35% increase in energy-efficiency of gov’t buildings  Fuel-efficiency rules for gov’t vehicles  Tax credits and other incentives for wind, solar, and nuclear power

Who Pays the Bill?  Federal government – energy R&D, incentives for industries  Carbon (emission) trade revenue  Venture capitalists, angel investors fund clean-tech startups  Major investment funds – large projects  Business and individual consumers – new technology applications

International Cooperation is Key  U.S. and other countries’ companies help China develop a smart grid market  The U.S. and its partners share experience with India on improving building energy efficiency  Brazil and the U.S. jointly aid 5 countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean in developing their own biofuel industries  Allegheny College works with Germany’s Siemens on green building upgrades

A Global Issue  The U.S., EU, China, Japan, India and Brazil to have a decisive influence  Emerging markets: Most rapid growth in energy demand/carbon emissions  Can global interest be reconciled with national priorities?  How will the recession and financial crisis affect energy choices?

Durban: treaty to limit carbon emissions Durban: treaty to limit carbon emissions  Legally binding deal comprising all countries, which will be prepared by 2015, and to take effect in 2020  Progress regarding the creation of a Green Climate Fund to distribute US$100bn per year to help poor countries adapt to climate impacts

U.S. PARTNERSHIP WITH ITALY – WHAT ARE WE ALREADY DOING TOGETHER?  Italcementi is a leader in American production of new “smog-eating” concrete – used in U.S. highways & roads  General Motors working with Politecnico di Torino to develop more efficient diesel engines  Green Building Council of Italy launched Italian version of U.S. sustainable building standards (LEED) to be used in Italy  And many more examples of U.S. and Italian cooperation to develop clean technology…

U.S. PARTNERSHIP WITH ITALY – WHAT NEXT?  Continue to expand research exchanges, travel by local policymakers, and trade delegations  Increase green sector joint ventures, especially for small and medium-sized businesses  Strengthen U.S.-Italian venture capital and private equity investments

What can an individual do?  Are you ready to change the way you live? The climate crisis can be solved. You can reduce carbon emissions  Buy energy efficient appliances, lightbulbs  Adjust your thermostat, recycle, buy a hybrid car, walk, ride a bicycle, use mass transit

What can an individual do?  Tell your parents not to ruin the world that you will live in.  Switch to renewable sources of energy.  Call your power company to see if they offer green energy; if they don’t, ask them why not.  Vote for leaders who pledge to solve this crisis.