NEW YORK, Nov 2: In a major political boost to Barack Obama, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an otherwise fierce critic of the President, has endorsed his bid for re-election, citing his efforts in dealing with climate change as the city recovers from the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy.
Bloomberg, who is a political independent, has in the past criticised both Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney for their failure to confront the problems afflicting the nation, including a slow economic recovery and balancing the budget.
However, the billionaire New York Mayor voiced support for Obama in the wake of the devastation caused by Sandy, which brought the city to a standstill and resulted in significant loss of life.
“The devastation that Hurricane Sandy brought to New York City and much of the Northeast—in lost lives, lost homes and lost business—brought the stakes of Tuesday’s presidential election into sharp relief,” he wrote in an op-ed column published by Bloomberg News.
Sandy, coming just 14 months after Hurricane Irene pummeled the city, forced evacuation of thousands of people, brought the crucial mass transport system to a grinding halt, left millions without power and caused significant economic damage.
“In just 14 months, two hurricanes have forced us to evacuate neighbourhoods—something our city government had never done before. If this is a trend, it is simply not sustainable.
“Our climate is changing. And while the increase in extreme weather we have experienced in New York City and around the world may or may not be the result of it, the risk that it might be—given this week’s devastation—should compel all elected leaders to take immediate action.”
Bloomberg said climate change and its effects cannot be tackled alone and “we need leadership from the White House.”
“… And over the past four years, President Barack Obama has taken major steps to reduce our carbon consumption, including setting higher fuel- efficiency standards for cars and trucks. His administration also has adopted tighter controls on mercury emissions, which will help to close the dirtiest coal power plants (an effort I have supported through my philanthropy), which are estimated to kill 13,000 Americans a year.” (PTI)
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