Environmental reforms on climate change have been discussed for decades by the UN, separate countries governments, environmental groups, and individuals. The need for change is evident, but getting a national response, much less an international response, is difficult to see through.
The Gulf coast oil spill “is an epidemic, one that we will be fighting for months and even years,” President Obama grimly reported last night in his first Oval Office speech. After visiting the coast for two days, the president’s speech showed a passionate man out for BP’s blood and aching for progressive environmental reform.
Despite Obama’s moratorium on May 14th issuing the immediate halt of drilling new wells and granting of environmental waivers, grants for drilling permits and environmental waivers have continued to be permitted by the federal government, met with skepticism and complaints that the terms of the moratorium are too narrowly defined and have been violated.
On April 20th, 2010 a Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig exploded and killed 11 workers, spawning what is predicted to be the biggest oil spill in this country’s history. The oil is spilling out at over 5,000 barrels a day due to the three breaks in the well pipes and hit the Louisiana coastline late Thursday night, nine days after the initial spill.
When President Obama gave his budget for the 2011 Fiscal Year, he addressed environmental reform as well as implemented green legislation that could really help the environment and our countries dependence on unnatural resources.
In response to the plan, Natural Resource Defense Council Director of Programs Wesley Warren said “With this budget, President Obama is starting to usher in a clean energy economy. That means more jobs, less carbon pollution and a more secure nation.His budget promotes America’s energy independence by reducing our reliance on foreign oil, starting the transition away from dirty fossil fuels, and investing in conservation and clean power like wind and solar. Cutting harmful greenhouse pollution and ramping up renewable energy will secure our nation and foster innovation that will make our economy more competitive. Now it’s up to Congress to deliver on the president’s funding priorities for a cleaner, more secure America.”
Today’s Super Tuesday, the day in which many U.S. states hold their primaries to see which candidates will go head-to-head to be President of the United States of America.
As a young person involved in world issues it’s important to choose not only the best leader for our nation, but also to pick someone who is ready to tackle environmental issues…
