We should act right now because of the economic turmoil, but we can't act right now because of the economic turmoil?

Quote from Ed Markey, the Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming

After 8 years of inaction from the Bush Administration, it’s a breath of fresh air to hear that an Obama White House understands the clean energy steps that must be taken to lift America out of economic turmoil are the same steps we must take to fight the climate crisis.

I think that's an extraordinary comment to make, since we are simultaneously being told that we can't fully commit to fighting CO2 right now *because* of the current economic turmoil.