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# Nothing without providence
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/18293/
- Published: 2005-05-26T16:05:19.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:33:29.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:15

Climate change is classic challenge for good old American can do, says [Tim Wirth](http://www.opendemocracy.net/globalization-climate%5Fchange%5Fdebate/USclimate%5F2547.jsp#) today on openDemocracy:

*"A nation-state that can seize the opportunities of an energy policy that addresses global climate change will create a double benefit: it will enhance its own national security and it will afford the world’s poorest people a chance to participate in the modern global economy. As an American, this is what I would like to see the United States do".*

Tim Wirth, who is co-chairman of the [Energy Future Coalition](http://www.energyfuturecoalition.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net) and president of the [United Nations Foundation](http://www.unfoundation.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net), has five key recommendations:

\* develop cost-effective, clean alternatives to gasoline;

\* modernise the electric power grid

\* modernise the US auto industry

\* modernise the coal industry

\* expand renewable energy resources

(full text [here](http://www.opendemocracy.net/globalization-climate%5Fchange%5Fdebate/USclimate%5F2547.jsp#))

Fine in theory (athough what about energy efficiency?); but how does one turn all this into practical politics?

Wirth's appeal to (the enlightened side of) [American nationalism](http://www.opendemocracy.net/conflict-debate%5F97/article%5F2168.jsp), for one thing, may be astute. At a more nuts and bolts level, his UN Foundation have been supporters of the [Institutional Investors Summit on Climate Change](http://www.unfoundation.org/features/2005%5Finst%5Finvestor%5Fsummit%5Fclimate%5Frisk.asp?ref=opendemocracy.net) (see earlier post [here](http://www.opendemocracy.net/blogs/page/climateChange/20050513#climate%5Fbusiness%5F2)).

(By the way, Tim Wirth is a former US Senator for [Colarado](http://www.50states.com/colorado.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net), for which the state motto is "nothing without providence". A dictionary defines providence as "care or preparation in advance; foresight; prudent management; economy". That does sound like a good place to start).

Caspar Henderson