but it is not clear whether such technologies will ever exist at the necessary scale , and even if they do , the approach would probably be wildly expensive compared with taking steps now to slow emissions .
another 15 years of failure to limit carbon emissions could make the problem virtually impossible to solve with current technologies , experts found .
the rift — reflected in a letter sent to president obama by 18 groups , including the sierra club , the environmental defense fund and earthjustice — signals that the administration is under pressure to confront the fossil - fuel industry or risk losing support from a critical part of its political base during an already difficult election year .
the report said that governments of the world were still spending far more money to subsidize fossil fuels than to accelerate the shift to cleaner energy , thus encouraging continued investment in projects like coal - burning power plants that pose a coalition of environmental groups is calling on president barack obama to put greater emphasis on combating climate change in his energy policy , pressing the administration as it weighs approving the keystone xl pipeline .
the administration ’s pursuit of increased domestic oil and gas production jeopardizes progress made toward lowering carbon pollution linked to climate change , according to a letter signed by leaders of 18 u.s. environmental organizations including the sierra club and the natural resources defense council .
a delay would most likely force future generations to develop the ability to suck greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere and store them underground to preserve the livability of the planet , the report found .
the project has galvanized the new pressure from both sides could have an impact on critical permitting decisions on issues ranging from the keystone xl pipeline to natural gas exports and federal coal leases .
for years , the administration has pushed aggressively to limit pollution from coal - fired power plants and improve fuel efficiency in transportation while also embracing domestic production of natural gas , oil and coal under an “ all
( nati harnik ap ) a group of the nation ’s leading environmental organizations is breaking with the administration over its energy policy , arguing that the white house needs to apply a strict climate test to all of its energy decisions or risk undermining one of the president ’s top ­second - term priorities .