Investing in the Future

Author: Daniel M. Kammen, University of California, Berkeley. Published 10 September 2008 Daniel M.

In this 15-page hearing for the US House of Representatives given on September 10 2008, Kammen sets out the perspectives of an integrated, long-term American approach to meet the challenges of climate change that is compatible with the US economic system. As Kammen says, "...climate change is so pervasive, and our patterns of energy use are so deeply intertwined with our economic system, that this issue can not be approached without an integrated vision".

From here, Kammen puts forward his recommendations, which include developing a viable, market-based carbon emissions trading system; a rise in American R&D efforts; making energy and the environment a core area of education; developing a new approach to public-private sector partnerships; establishing news dialogs on international clean energy collaboration; and setting up a more sustainable financing mechanism. Kammen is a Professor in the Energy and Resources Group Energy and Resources Group (ERG), Professor of Public Policy in the Goldman School of Public Policy and Professor of Nuclear Engineering in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at University of California, Berkeley. He is also the founding Director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL). Professor Kammen is advisor to the Obama campaign for the U.S. Presidency and also advises the U.S. and Swedish Agencies for International Development, the World Bank, and the President's Committee on Science and Technology (PCAST). Furthermore, he is a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (Working Group III and the Special Report on Technology Transfer).