US Mission Geneva

It is an honor for me to be here today on behalf of President Obama at the third World Climate Conference. In just over six months, President Obama has dramatically shifted US policy on climate change. He has emphasized that good government depends on good science, and that the scientific evidence of climate change is compelling. He is committed to reducing green house gas pollution, creating clean energy jobs and adapting to climate change already underway. As one of the scientists on the President’s team, and as head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce, it is a special privilege for me to participate in this landmark conference.

With the flip of a switch on Earth Day, April 22, 2009, the United States Mission in Geneva will take another step to consolidate its standing as the U.S. State Department’s greenest diplomatic building.

On that date the U.S. Mission — already home to a major solar electric system — will bring on-line an innovative air cooled chiller system based on magnetic levitation technology. This large tonnage air cooled Magnetic Levitation (MagLev™) Chiller is the first of its kind in Europe, and represents a major new application of MagLev technology.