This piece by Queally says a lot about how the US political system works, that is, if one looks below the surface of what is reported.
Here we see Obama, the CPRO (Chief Public Relations Officer) of the US ruling capitalist class, delivering a speech to a brighter than average American audience, graduating students at UC Irvine. To this audience, and other Americans concerned about climate destabilization, he must make a good pretense of being concerned about climate change by delivering a "a new and impassioned speech centered around climate change". The author rightly points out that his proposals fall far short of what scientists are insisting is needed.
It is unlikely that even these insufficient measures will be instituted, but the directors of this ruling class must make the pretense that their political system is trying to grapple with the problem if only those nasty Republicans would stop getting in the way.
By the way, if you need more convincing about who Obama really works for, then read this article entitled "Meeting Logs: Obama White House Quietly Coddling Big Oil on 'Bomb Trains' Regulations".
A DeSmogBlog review of OIRA [Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs] meeting logs confirms that in recent weeks, OIRA has held at least ten meetings with officials from both industries on oil-by-rail regulations. On the flip side, it held no meetings with public interest groups.