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.
