Tech giants commit to helping Obama spread word on climate change
Washington (CNN) – President Barack Obama is getting some help from the country's tech giants in his effort to show Americans how climate change will affect their communities.
The private sector commitments from firms like Google and Microsoft come at the same time the White House announced Wednesday a new government initiative to make public data related to climate more accessible to the public, with the goal of spurring better preparation and prevention for eventual changes to Americans' environment.
[twitter-follow screen_name='politicalticker'][twitter-follow screen_name='KevinLiptakCNN']
The Obama administration thinks that local data, which may have a real-world effect on Americans' lives, will provide a convincing argument for steps to prevent climate change. The risk rising sea levels have on individual communities will be the focus of a new website, climate.data.gov, which uses government data to put environmental changes in context.
The White House also called on tech companies to develop tools for Americans to better get a grasp on how climate change could affect them.
Google, for example, is committing cloud computing infrastructure to help create maps that show the risks of extreme drought. Google's home state of California has withstood a historic drought this year that's severely affected its large agricultural sector.
Microsoft said it would award a year of free cloud computing resources to climate scientists who enter a company-sponsored competition.
Obama has pledged to renew his efforts on climate change during his second term, including using executive actions that bypass Congress. He's introduced new regulations on truck emissions and created so-called "climate hubs" that help businesses prepare for the effects of climate change.
Last month Obama proposed a new $1 billion climate preparedness fund, though Congressional approval seems unlikely, at least ahead of November's midterm elections.
Obama and his administration are also approaching a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Environmental groups argue the project would contribute to climate change since it wouldn't help reduce the nation's dependence on fossil fuels.
From CNN Politics
- Florida legislature passes bill allowing carry of concealed weapons without a permit
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Untitled
- Manhattan DA's office again slams House GOP's efforts to investigate Trump probe, says approx. $5k federal funds used
- Can Trump still run for president? Your top indictment questions, answered
- Donald Trump has been indicted. Here's what we know
Are they still using their #1 proof the hockey stick chart? Yeah that figures.
bobo
The person responsible for not creating jobs would be congress. You see (poly sci I) congress holds the check book. The president proposes and congress disposes. So in other words Mr Boehner and congress are the ones currently sitting on jobs bills for more then a year and doing nothing except fighting abortion, gay marriage, or anything else to keep from addressing real issues. Oh and fifty plus votes now on Obamacare costing millions, and the Issa investigations of going nowhere costing millions. But creating jobs? That would be tooooooo much like real work. What do you think? Do you think these people are paid to represent you?
Look at California post, absolutely clueless, and loving every minute of it. Since when does the gop embrace truth and facts, its like you've been under a rock for decades. Nearly every gop talking point is a direct contradiction of the truth, yet there he is, mouth wide open,... sigh.
Unbelievably naive, perfect Republican, deny any truths you find inconvenient, now that's a class act.
wise guy
Look at California post, absolutely clueless, and loving every minute of it. Since when does the gop embrace truth and facts, its like you've been under a rock for decades. Nearly every gop talking point is a direct contradiction of the truth, yet there he is, mouth wide open,... sigh.
------
Only on planet Hillary.
bobo
Can we please create JOBS? Well paying jobs.... Mr. Obama... stop holding back America's prosperity!
---------------------–
What exactly is Mr. Obama doing to hold back America's prosperity?
Oh, yeah. He's not in favor of additional tax cuts for the wealthy. Right?
His expressed concern for the poor and middle class holds back prosperity. Right?
Let me help you California, the only scientists denying climate change are those being paid well to do so, then there's you, where to start . Like keystone, no way the most corrosive, toxic oil substance we use is harmful , of course there's no environmental impact, there's too much money involved to be toxic, do its not, like magic.
At the recent annual shareholder meeting, Apple's CEO Tim Cook was asked by a rep from the conservative group National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPRR) to commit to only doing things that were profitable – regardless of the consequence, including dropping Apple's green initiatives.
Cooks response was to say that there are many things Apple does because they are right and just, and that a return on investment (ROI) was not the primary consideration on such issues. For example, Cook said that when Apple works on making their devices accessible by the blind, "I don't consider the bloody ROI." He said that the same thing about environmental issues, worker safety, and other areas where Apple is a leader.
Cook then looked directly at the NCPPR representative and said, “If you want me to do things only for ROI reasons, you should get out of this stock.”
THAT'S the appropriate response to ALL of these righties who put money uber alles. Let's show them we mean business by voting out all the gop/tea bags on November 4, 2014.
smith
@Don-Put it to you this way, your in a boat and every time you bail out a bucket of water two more come in. Unless you stop those two buckets of water(China and India) you will sink.
----------------------–
Meanwhile, if you keep bailing out that one bucket, not only will you sink more slowly, there's a possibility that you will find a way to stop one, or both, of the other buckets. Your way is a complete surrender, smith.
@Rick McDaniel
The dictator seizes more and more control of everyone..........including business.
Last week you said he was a weakling who couldn't lead. Now he is a dictator. Which one is he Rickey? Oh yeah, in the Faux "News" insane asylum it all makes perfect sense.
wise guy
Let me help you California, the only scientists denying climate change are those being paid well to do so, then there's you, where to start . Like keystone, no way the most corrosive, toxic oil substance we use is harmful , of course there's no environmental impact, there's too much money involved to be toxic, do its not, like magic.
--------
I have your hockey stick chart for you.
You're wasting your time on facts with these people. They don't and probably can't read, all they do is parrot the Fox hosts. All they care about is catchy catch phrases and buzz words taken out of context.
The sad thing is many of them don't have two nickels to rub together but are supporting those that are saying, "we may have millions and you pennies, but please don't make us pay a few more thousand in taxes a year." Don't worry, we'll trickle down on you eventually. And when they are in charge again and really trickle down on them, they are so indoctrinated to hate Obama, they'll simply blame him.
GOP is pretty much dead, defunct. No clue these republicans are talking at. I pity these idiots.
Any news on anti women's rights activist Dennis Prager's fund raiser for Mitch McConnell.
Only on planet Hillary, I'm not a big fan of hers, but with the other options, it's an easy call . You don't understand squat, yet you think you know better than men much smarter than you or I, men who have studied science their whole life, quite the opinion you have of yourself, not a common one though.
How far under water will your house get before you consider there might be something to this?
Hey, CALIFORNIA, can you explain to me why it is that the dark side of the Earth doesn't cool to far below freezing every night? You are super well versed on the topic, I can tell by your reference of the "hockey stick" graph, so this should be an easy one for you.
My grandpa insisted that cigarrettes were not causing his cancer, and did so until the day his body proved him dead wrong. The GOP is follwing the same pattern of stoic bravery, or is it foohardy self serving ignorance? Hard to tell with the GOP.
don in albuquerque
Dean
"Liberals are so goofy", but it takes a real conservative to put thousands of people in graves. What are you spouting off about?
--------------------------------------------
Don, I hope Obamacare covers your medication.
Smith – "@Don-Put it to you this way, your in a boat and every time you bail out a bucket of water two more come in. Unless you stop those two buckets of water(China and India) you will sink."
First more like take out a barrel refill with two buckets. The US contributes way more at this point. Also, are we not a world leader and to show responsibility leadership? Surely you don't want us to be followers.
Democrats would vote for anyone that killed their family as long as they had a (D) next to their name.
I hope that all can understand the science behind this. Those that deny the changing climate are often paid by fossil fuel companies or aren't really in the field. The sooner we can change how we do things that cause problems, the better off we shall be.
O Yeah, Well the GOP have the Koch Brothers!! Take that!
For YEARS democrats touted the now INFAMOUS "hockey stick chart" as their proof of global warming and now the'd love to play ignorant as if there never was one.
Well,
You no fool old Gunderson. Obama trying to keep you from real problems. You know, high unemployment, too many on Food Stamps, tons of mortgages under water, ever rising national debt, etc, etc,etc. All Liberals need take a vacation. Go to Niagara Falls, take barrel. Or follow old Liberal Mantra. WITH YOUR MONEY AND MY BRAINS, WE WILL GO PLACES. Or, WHEN IN DOUBT, RUN IN CIRCLES, SCREAM AND SHOUT.