Photograph by Justin Sullivan, Getty Images Published January
23, 2013 One of the biggest surprises of President Barack
Obama's inaugural address on Monday was how much he focused on
fighting climate change, spending more time on that issue than
any other. "We will respond to the threat of climate change,
knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and
future generations," Obama said. The President pointed out that
recent severe weather supplied an urgent impetus for energy
innovation and staked the nation's economic future on responding
to a changing climate. "We cannot cede to other nations the
technology that will power new jobs and new industries—we must
claim its promise," Obama said. "That's how we will maintain our
economic vitality and our national treasure—our forests and
waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we
will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God." So what
could the President reasonably do to deliver on that vow?
National Geographic asked exper