Obama action on climate change?

I liked the President's inaugural speech.  More than liked, I was moved at several points.  It was a relatively brief speech and took force from that I think.  He spoke of equity and equality, of the need for collective effort to solve collective problems, of the country's commitment to provide security and dignity.

Different people certainly will remember this or that reference or phrase.  But what especially struck me were his references to climate change and environmental protection.

We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise. 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. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.

Did he finally commit to action on this front?  It would appear so.  Now the question is what form that commitment takes.  Preparation for the next round of climate negotiations?  A carbon tax?  Federal support for infrastructure adaptation to future Hurricane Sandys?  New support for renewable energy technologies?  I'm hoping, whatever they are, the proposals will be significant -- measures that put the administration out there in a forward position.  He'll likely not get everything, but the proposals can be part of saying this is what Democrats are for the future.