Green campaigners welcome Amber Rudd's appointment as climate secretary (UK)

[FBaggins]

At the very least, those concerned about global warming and the green economy can take heart from the fact that David Cameron has not appointed a climate change sceptic as secretary of state for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (he has form). Amber Rudd says climate science is “compelling” and has spoken strongly of the need for a strong deal at a crunch UN summit in Paris in December.

But there appears to be much more to be optimistic about than that, with her appointment meeting with broad approval from green business and campaigners. Firstly, she was climate change minister for almost a year before the election, meaning she can hit the ground running in the tortuous but crucial climate change negotiations.

One government insider told me she is “really green and no-nonsense” and can get things done, adding that her past experience as an investment banker and businesswoman will be useful in delivering the huge investment needed in the energy sector.

The key will be whether energy and climate change policy is run from Decc or the Treasury. Rudd was first elected as an MP in 2010 and rose quickly, becoming a parliamentary private secretary to chancellor George Osborne and then assistant whip. Being relatively close to the chancellor will be vital in getting Rudd’s energy policies through, but another former Decc minister and windfarm opponent, Matt Hancock, is said to be closer to the chancellor.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2015/may/11/amber-rudds-appointment-as-climate-secretary

Hmmm... perhaps a tiny piece of decent news in an otherwise awful election.

[malthaussen]

1. Well, I guess the UK is still more enlightened than the US, then.

Considering the senators that head some of our science-based committees.

-- Mal

[FBaggins]

2. Their system of government has some advantages

One is that the chief executive is usually the head of the party that also controls the entire legislature. We, OTOH, often have the opposing party how sway in one or both chambers of Congress.

[malthaussen]

3. Something, I think, which accurately reflects the schitzophrenia of our country...

... which is not necessarily a good thing. OTOH, it does help perpetuate the old "checks and balances" shtick, although that's a cloak that is becoming a bit threadbare as time goes by.

-- Mal