Obama climate czar has socialist ties

Washington, Jan.12 (ANI): Carol M. Browner, US President-elect Barack Obama's global warming czar-designate, was listed as one of 14 leaders of a socialist group's Commission for a Sustainable World Society, which calls for "global governance" and says rich countries must shrink their economies to address climate change.

Browner's name and biography has since been removed from Socialist International's Web page, though a photo of her speaking June 30 to the group's congress in Greece was still available.

Socialist International, an umbrella group for many of the world's social democratic political parties such as Britain's Labor Party, says it supports socialism and is harshly critical of U.S. policies.

The group's Commission for a Sustainable World Society, the organization's action arm on climate change, says the developed world must reduce consumption and commit to binding and punitive limits on greenhouse gas emissions.

Obama, who has said action on climate change would be a priority in his administration, tapped Browner last month to fill a new position as White House coordinator of climate and energy policies.

The appointment does not need Senate confirmation, Fox News reports.

Obama's transition team said Browner's membership in the organization is not a problem and that it brings experience in U.S. policymaking to her new role.

Browner ran the Environmental Protection Agency under President Clinton. Until she was tapped for the Obama administration, she was on the board of directors for the National Audubon Society, the League of Conservation Voters, the Center for American Progress and former Vice President Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection. (ANI)