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Obama’s Second-Term G-8 Dance Card: Judo With Putin, Trade, and Syria

Major Garrett | 1:02 p.m.

The president returns to Berlin five years later less the rock star and more the battle-hardened pragmatist.

Is it Too Late to Tackle Global Warming?

Amy Harder | June 17, 2013

Global greenhouse-gas emissions rose to record levels in 2012, the International Energy Agency said in a report released last week. Especially disconcerting is the news from May that carbon-dioxide levels reached 400 parts per million "for the first time in several hundred millennia," the report states.

House Faces Off on Farm Bill, Late-Term Abortions

Billy House | June 16, 2013

The Senate continues its floor focus on amendments to its immigration-reform bill.

How NSA Surveillance Jeopardizes Obama's G-8 Trip to Europe

George E. Condon Jr. | June 16, 2013

Obama's task in Europe this week has been made even more challenging by the recent disclosures of American surveillance in allied countries.

Energy

June 13, 2013

Opower; Pennsylvania Center for Sustainable Shale Development; San Diego Electric-Car Infrastructure; NRG Energy.

What Happens When Our Nuclear-Power Fleet Is Older Than You Are?

Coral Davenport | June 6, 2013

America’s best source for zero-carbon energy is slowly withering, and it’s unlikely to be replenished.

Are Republicans Warming to Climate Change?

Jenna Fugate | May 31, 2013

Maybe a little bit, according to a recent Gallup poll showing increased concern over global warming among Republicans, many of whom have in the past considered climate change a false threat. Those looking for reasons to worry can turn to the the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Summary for Policymakers, which lists several global warming hazards driving public concerns. If carbon emissions continue to outstrip environmental goals such as the 2009 Copenhagen Accord, the likelihood of these threats will grow.

Google Is Investing in the Next Hotspot for Renewable Energy: South Africa

Todd Woody and Quartz | May 30, 2013

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Obama Campaign Group Targets Climate Change

Coral Davenport | May 28, 2013

While President Obama's reelection campaign was almost completely silent on the issue of climate change, Organizing for Action, the advocacy group tooled from his 2012 campaign machine, has launched a campaign designed to build support for the president's climate-change agenda.

The Obscure County Election That Could Change the Planet

Coral Davenport | May 23, 2013

A little-watched race in Washington state will determine how America uses its coal—and the future of the global climate.

The Coming GOP Civil War Over Climate Change

Coral Davenport | May 9, 2013

Science, storms, and demographics are starting to change minds among the rank and file.

Will New Oil Reserves Tempt Americans Back Into Wastefulness?

Coral Davenport | May 9, 2013

Recently discovered reserves suggest fossil fuels will last longer than we thought. But the economy won’t grow if Americans don’t use that energy efficiently.

The Hottest Trend for Wealthy Do-Gooders

Sophie Quinton | May 7, 2013

The Rockefeller Foundation's Judith Rodin explains impact investing. But she warns: "This is not the solution to less government funding."

What People Close to Obama Think About the Keystone XL Pipeline

Amy Harder | May 5, 2013

To environmentalists throughout the country, denying the Keystone XL oil pipeline would be the most important sign President Obama is committed to combating global warming.

What If Oil Lasts Forever?

Charles C. Mann - The Atlantic | April 25, 2013

New technology and a little-known energy source suggest that fossil fuels may not be finite. This would be a miracle—and a nightmare.

Let’s Not Talk About Climate Change

Coral Davenport | April 18, 2013

Louisiana’s two senators worry more about oil than the rising water level.

After the Gun-Control Defeat, How to Counter the Passion Gap

Jill Lawrence | April 18, 2013

There was certainly no lack of angst or passion among gun-control advocates in the wake of their devastating defeat in the Senate. The problem, as President Obama correctly diagnosed, will be to summon that level of intensity on Election Days of the future–and stoke some of it among the massive numbers of rank-and-file voters who agree with them.

Companies Battle, With Gas Prices at Stake

Amy Harder | April 17, 2013

The lobbying fight over how much natural gas the United States should export has picked up considerably this year.

5 Things Immigration, Gay Marriage, and Gun Control Have That Climate Change Doesn't

Amy Harder | April 17, 2013

The amount of change happening in Washington is impressive, but this kind of sea change can’t happen right now with energy and climate policy. Here's why.

Bad News: There’s Less Being Spent on Green Energy. Good News: There’s More Green Energy

Todd Woody and Quartz | April 17, 2013

It’ll come as no surprise that global investment in clean energy fell last year. Quarterly numbers had foreshadowed that investors and governments were retreating from big green bets. But here’s the twist: Though investment dropped 11%, to $269 billion in 2012, renewable energy installations grew by a record 88,000 megawatts (MW), according to a report released today by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

U.S. Carbon Emissions Hit Lowest Point Since 1994

Todd Woody and Quartz | April 5, 2013

Carbon emissions have now declined every year since 2007 save for 2010.

The Man Who Could Put Climate Change on the Agenda

Coral Davenport | April 4, 2013

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough has a record against global warming—and the president's ear.

Fuel Exports Are Probably Driving Up the Price of Gas. But That's Not a Bad Thing.

Jordan Weissmann and the Atlantic | April 3, 2013

When something scarce is sold to the highest bidder anywhere in the world, prices inevitably go up. But does that mean it's time to clamp down on oil exports? Not necessarily.

Could Your Smartphone Lower Your Electricity Bill?

Sophie Quinton | April 2, 2013

Smart-grid technology aims to prevent blackouts, cut costs, and maybe even change the way you use energy.

Climate Change: Even Worse Than We Feared

Climate Desk - The Atlantic | March 11, 2013

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How Dirty, Polluted China Takes Climate Change More Seriously Than We Do

Coral Davenport | March 7, 2013

People may not be able to breathe in Beijing, but its politicians are doing more than U.S. lawmakers are to slow global warming.

Republicans Take Aim at Obama’s EPA Nominee

Coral Davenport | March 4, 2013

President Obama’s nomination Monday of Gina McCarthy to lead the Environmental Protection Agency sets up the next high-profile clash between the White House and congressional Republicans over the incendiary issue of climate change.

Obama's Stance on Unlocking Cell Phones Comes With a Very Big Catch

Brian Fung | March 4, 2013

The White House agrees that you should be able to unlock your phone and bring it with you to another carrier “without risking criminal or other penalties” — as long as you're not tied to a service contract.

Can Climate-Change Denier Ken Cuccinelli Win a Swing State?

Coral Davenport | March 3, 2013

In storm-battered Virginia, the Republican candidate for governor still doubts the science.

Obama Administration Reaches Out to Local Governments to Spread Its Climate Message

Coral Davenport | February 24, 2013

President Obama used his Inaugural Address and State of the Union speech to issue the boldest, clearest call to action on climate change ever voiced by a sitting U.S. president—but don’t expect him to barnstorm across the country with that message.

Mr. Abe Goes to Washington: Japan PM Talks Autos, North Korea With President Obama

Matt Vasilogambros | February 22, 2013

The five things you need to know about their meeting on Friday

What Former Rep. David Dreier is Up To Next

Shane Goldmacher | February 20, 2013

David Dreier, the recently retired Republican congressman from California, has landed a gig to lead a new commission focused on trade for an arm of the nonprofit Annenberg Foundation.

Why Obama Went Big on Climate Change

Steve LeVine and Quartz | February 15, 2013

President Barack Obama pushed Congress passionately for gun control. He urged reason in the search for a bipartisan fiscal agreement. But on climate change, he delivered an express threat—either Congress would take action to reduce emissions, or he would do so by fiat.

Why Japan Can't Quit Nuclear Power

Olga Belogolova | February 14, 2013

Since the Fukushima meltdown, the country has tried to reduce its reliance on nuclear reactors. But with nearly a third of its energy needs powered by the atom, change is difficult.

Spotlight on the Rush to Cross the Border

Jody Brannon | February 14, 2013

With immigration reform a topic of conversation nationwide The Washington Post produced a photo gallery, rich with powerful images, of Mexicans who repeatedly try to return to the U.S. using the “Whisper Trail.”

Obama Cites Storms, Drought to Build Case For Climate Action

Coral Davenport | February 13, 2013

Fifteen years ago, when President Clinton raised the specter of climate change in his State of the Union address, he spoke of a “gathering crisis” that would need to be stopped “at some point in the next century.” Now scientists say that crisis is starting to arrive – and President Obama has noticeably shifted his rhetoric, describing an urgent problem that’s here now, already harming American people.

The Scary Truth About How Much Climate Change is Costing You

Coral Davenport | February 7, 2013

While policymakers fiddle, the threat of economic harm posed by rising sea levels, devastating storms, and drought is growing every day.

Video: Inside This Week's Cover Story

National Journal Staff | February 7, 2013

In this week's cover story, National Journal's Coral Davenport discusses the economic impacts of climate change.

Future Travelers

Fawn Johnson | February 4, 2013

Who knows what the kids are going to come up with next? Some of them think owning a car is a big bother and would rather rent or borrow one. Others don't even have a driver's license! Their smart phones are an extension of their brains, which makes grown-ups cringe when they get behind the wheel. Still, all that connectivity has tantalizing possibilities for modernizing how people get from place to place.

Why Obama Thanked Hillary

Michael Hirsh | January 28, 2013

The president's former political rival journeyed a long, hard road to loyalty.

How Should Washington Address Climate Change?

Amy Harder | January 28, 2013

How, if at all, should President Obama and Congress address climate change?

GOP Insiders Daring Dems Over Climate Change

Naureen Khan and Alex Roarty and Peter Bell | January 27, 2013

Don't hold your breath for bipartisan consensus on climate change just yet -- at least not if National Journal's Political Insiders have something to say about it. Asked whether it had become a winning issue for Democrats, nearly 9 out of 10 Republican Insiders said no, with a little over a third of Democratic Insiders agreeing that climate change was not among the issues on which Democrats can capitalize. Has climate change become a winning issue for Democrats? Democrats (101 votes) Republicans (92 votes) Yes 64% 12% No 36% 88%

Leahy to Obama: Write Immigration Bill

Fawn Johnson | January 21, 2013

To legislate or not to legislate, that is the question.

What Obama Wants and What Congress Will Give Him

Stacy Kaper and Rebecca Kaplan and Coral Davenport and Fawn Johnson and Margot Sanger-Katz and and Amy Harder contributed | January 21, 2013

How the president's vision fits with what Congress is likely to do.

Congress Feels the Heat on Idea of Carbon Tax

Coral Davenport | January 15, 2013

Moments after the fiscal-cliff deal passed the House on New Year’s Day, Grover Norquist, the powerful antitax lobbyist, tweeted, “Obama’s budget adds ten trillion more debt. We cut more spending or he smashes average Americans with energy taxes. I vote: cut his spending.”

5 Conflicts Abroad That Could Have Implications for the U.S.

Matt Vasilogambros | January 15, 2013

As the United States looks to wind down the war in Afghanistan and grapples with upheaval in Syria, several smaller conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East also could have national security implications for the United States and its allies.

Obama Faces Dilemma on 'Mother of All’ Climate-Change Regulations

Coral Davenport | January 10, 2013

How President Obama could clean up carbon emissions—alone.

State of the Union Stakes: Guns, Debt, and Climate Change Give Obama Shot at Immortality

Ron Fournier | January 9, 2013

The only thing Obama could do worse than failing on the big issues is failing to try on a big way.

Can You Lead on the Environment if You Bypass Climate Change?

Jill Lawrence | January 9, 2013

A conservative group has ideas for stewardship, but global warming is not part of its mission.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Terminator, Body-Builder, and Global Leader on Climate-Change

Coral Davenport | December 30, 2012

If the United States ever enacts a major climate-change law, it will owe a debt to Arnold Schwarzenegger.

California's New Cap-and-Trade Law: A Model for the Country?

Coral Davenport | December 13, 2012

On Jan. 1, California will start enforcing a robust cap-and-trade law that’s the first of its kind in the United States. Its success will influence whether other states—and the federal government—follow suit.

Whither Global Climate-Change Talks?

Amy Harder | December 3, 2012

Should international negotiators abandon the top-down multilateral system to confront climate change and find another way? The 18th installment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is now in its second and final week in Doha, Qatar, the country with--ironically--the world'...

What does America's Energy Boom Mean for Washington?

Amy Harder | November 26, 2012

The United States is producing more fossil fuels than ever. So what--if anything--should President Obama and Congress do about it? The United States is one of the world's biggest producers of oil, natural gas, and coal. In its World Energy Outlook 2012 published earlier this month, the...

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