Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Global Warming - Who Has The Answer

I think 90% of the world is now in agreement that climate change/global warming is real. There are still those hold out and conspiracy theorists who refuse to see the writing on the wall but that is how it is with every important issue that's faced our nation and the world....there is always a group of nay sayers.

For a while I thought the American Government would linger too long with the disbelievers but it seems with the presidential race and presidential legacies on the line, governmental positions are changing. But will it be enough to make a difference?

The old guard of skeptics are leaving the White House and we have a chance to lead the nations of the world to solve this problem. That leaves me wondering, of the remaining candidates for US president, who has the best policy proposals to change the course of our future? Who has the commitment to make the tough decisions?

Grist Magazine has put together a comprehensive chart to help people like me make up my mind. Each of the candidates ideas and stances are laid out in an easy to understand format. Please check this out and read the information provided. It's very important.

Allow me to spotlight two of the issues: Cap and Trade Prgrams for Greenhouse Emmissions and Fuel Economy Standards.


Hillary Clinton: Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Supports raising fuel standards to 40 mpg by 2020 and 55 mpg by 2030.

Barack Obama: Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Supports raising standards for cars to 40 mpg and light trucks to 32 mpg by 2020.

John McCain: Supports a cap-and-trade system. Coauthor of the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act, which would cap emissions from utilities, industry, and transport at 2004 levels by 2012 and then gradually decrease emissions to about 30% of 2004 levels by 2050. Supports raising standards vehicles, but has not named a specific target. In 2002, introduced legislation that would have raised standards to 36 mpg by 2016.

Mitt Romney: Does not support a cap-and-trade system unless the rest of the world participates. For fuel efficiency he, Opposes raising standards on their own outside of a broader energy plan. Calls for other steps to make the U.S. auto fleet more efficient.

Mike Huckabee - Supports a cap-and-trade system, but hasn't gotten specific about targets. Supports raising standards to 35 mpg by 2020.

In our nation we have an important decision to make about who will be the best steward of our environment and who will inspire all of us to make the needed sacrafices and changes. Dig deep and do the research. In my opinion, none of the candidates go as far as I would like. They seem afraid to take a serious stand for consequential action but at least solutions are on the table. That's a change for the better.

Visit the candidates websites and read their full positions. But first educate yourself by visiting globalwarming 101.com, Climatecrisis.net, and the Union of Concerned Scientists to arm yourself with the scientific facts needed to make a clear assessment of the issues.

I am optimistic about our future. There is a ground swell, a movement, an awakening that we must act now. I believe we will. To get us started on the right path, we need a leader who is bold, innovative, free of the influence of corporations who resist change, and as determined to end global warming as a past president was about going to the moon.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Please forgive me for my cynicism. For I do not wish to throw cold water on the fires of your optimism.

Nonetheless: the "feeling" that I have is that we are bound for much of the same old thing for at least 4 more years. For none of the candidates will be as good as many hope; nor will any of the candidates be as bad as many dread.

Be assured that I sincerely hope that I have been deceived about this. For there is much about this country that needs to be changed; and this includes more than just in regards unto environmental issues.

Lisa McGlaun said...

Jerry,

I understand why you feel that way. Most of us are healthy skeptics, if not full blown cynics.

Here is my theory - The powers that be would love nothing more than for us to remain cynical. For as long as we are effectively neutered and powerless. Then they can continue to do as they wish.

When we wake up and are no longer "asleep at the wheel, feeling powerless and ineffectual" guess what happens - we effect change and become a force to be reckoned with - couple that with hope and optimism and you have something very powerful.

I've been asleep for so long I'm not willing to let go of my hopefulness for the future. We can do it if we believe.

Best Wishes,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Global Warming can scarcely be denied. All the evidence points to the fact that it is happening, and will continue to happen if we don't drastically reduce CO2 levels immediately. I found a petition which is telling Congress to take action, and, as we gain signatures, money is donated to stop global warming.
http://www.petitionearth.com/viewpetition.php?id=76
Please, we need to speak out to save our planet.

Lisa McGlaun said...

Joey,

Thanks for this important link. I hope it gets lots of signatures.

Peace,
Lisa

Heather said...

What a great post. I've really tried to do my homework and read information provided by folks on both side of the does it/doesn't it exist fence and I have to say...if I compare what I've read with the fact that it was 70 freakin' degrees here today, I'm going with we need to be more aggressive with preserving our planet.

Seriously. 70 degrees. Febuary is normally the month that we see the most snow.

Tomorrow they are predicting it'll be 66.

I miss seasons.

Lisa McGlaun said...

Heather,

You are so right. All we have to do is look around us. There is too much evidence to deny.

Lisa