Obama turns toward climate action

President Obama is working overtime this week to promote his climate agenda, White House adviser John Podesta said Monday.

Podesta took over the first half of the White House daily press briefing Monday to highlight the president’s events this week that are dedicated to climate change.

The administration has made “important gains,” Podesta touted, on the three main fronts of Obama’s climate plan: cutting back greenhouse gas emissions, building community resilience to climate impacts, and leading international negotiations on tackling climate change.

“This week we’re taking further actions,” Podesta said, noting the third National Climate Assessment the administration will release Tuesday. “We obviously need all hands on deck if we’re going to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.”

Obama will meet with meteorologists Tuesday to discuss the report’s findings and what it means for U.S. communities, he said.

“This third National Climate Assessment will be the most authoritative and comprehensive source of scientific information ever produced about how climate change is going to impact all regions of the United States and key sectors of the national economy,” Podesta said Monday.

Later this week, the administration will host a three-day summit on energy efficiency in commercial and industrial buildings.

The summit is aimed at helping drive down utility bills, reduce energy demand and reach the administration’s climate goals but cutting emissions.

Podesta added that near the end of the week the administration will have more announcements on its solar power initiatives.