Your voice can help put the environment on the political agenda
Your voice is as important as your vote—there is a lot you can do. (Jason Langheine)
After the summer we have had, my mind is on climate change, what more Earthjustice can do about it, and what’s at stake in this election.
I experienced the effects of climate change this summer during a trip through Colorado. Heat, drought and fire set an almost apocalyptic tone for the trip. There was no snow on the peaks, stream flows were down, and smoke filled the air. Similar impacts afflicted 60 percent of our nation and spread over three continents; sea ice coverage in the Arctic was at a record low.
Earthjustice is working hard to slow and reverse these climate trends by bringing cases across the country to beat down coal, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and expand the market for renewable energy and efficiency. And with your support we are doing more every day: hiring more attorneys and bringing more cases in more places. We are grateful not only for your support which makes this possible, but also for your advocacy which helps get better rules adopted and enforced.
But our progress is in jeopardy in the upcoming election. It is critical that you be involved. Political advertising in support of coal, oil, and natural gas is outstripping spending on behalf of clean energy by a ratio of four to one, according to a recent analysis by the New York Times. Some candidates are avoiding environmental issues, some are mouthpieces of climate denial, and an avalanche of fossil fuel money is flooding the airwaves against any who take a strong stand for addressing climate change and promoting clean energy. We simply can’t let that flood of money determine the outcome of the election and the future of our country.
It’s time to turn up the pressure on those who seek to lead us. Let’s take heart in recalling that it was an aroused citizenry who set the environmental agenda for the last 40 years, resulting in the major environmental protections our citizens rely on and that Earthjustice employs in its legal work. Some of these fundamental protections, including the power of the Environmental Protection Agency to perform its mission, have been under attack in this election season. Moreover, congressional attacks on clean energy have been ramping up. Just this week, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would phase out a loan guarantee program for clean and renewable energy projects, while keeping in place bloated subsidy programs for fossil fuel.
Let's remind our leaders that climate change and the health of our planet and communities are directly linked to our reliance on coal-fired power and other fossil fuels. Pursuing these finite energy resources has led speculators and developers to a modern-day gold rush across America’s public lands and off our shores. We are exploring, drilling and destroying at a phenomenal rate, threatening not just wild places and species, but human communities. Our water is being fracked with chemicals, our air is laden with particulates and poisons, our coastlines are fouled with spilled oil—with worse threatened in Arctic waters.
The election is near. Now is the time to make your voice heard. Only a few days ago, Earthjustice supporters rallied in Washington, D.C. as they delivered a petition with more than 13,500 names and photos of those who demand an end to the destructive practice of mountaintop removal mining. It's the biggest photo petition even handed to a U.S. president, and we are confident it will help counter the industry's drumbeat in favor of coal. Our confidence is bolstered by how similar citizen action this summer helped prevent passage of legislation that would have kept the EPA from regulating the poisonous impacts of coal ash on neighborhoods across America.
So, the lesson is clear—your voice is as important as your vote. There is a lot you can do. Contact the candidates to demand they address YOUR environmental concerns. Demand that the news media cover, and really examine, the environmental positions of candidates. Help make climate and environmental policy issues more prominent by asking the presidential debate moderators to ask hard questions about those issues. Volunteer for candidates who do support the environment and action on climate change, and if possible help support them financially too.
It’s your help and your passion that enables us to get our job done. The same is true in the election. Let’s win one for the planet!
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The growth-based economy based on non-renewable resources is starting its downward trek from its peak. The new decentralized, community-based economies are on the rise and will spread like wildflowers across the globe. We need pure water, air and soil to live, not oil, gas, coca-cola, fritos, kentucky fried chicken, etc.etc....
Howard, who is the "we" in your statement. Your comment to put KFC, coke and fritos out of business is idiotic. Last I looked we still live in a free country toeat and drink what we choose. These companies also create jobs (maybe you need to get one)They also make contributions to many charities, get a life Howard
Well, it may be true that people are disappointed with Obama as regards the environment, but you have to remember that the 330+ republican filibusters made it hard for him to get anything done at all. This was the tactic used by the nazi party in Germany to get into power in the 1930s -- first they stalled every piece of helpful legislation, then howled that the government wasn't doing anything to help. Regardless of whether you feel Obama should have done more, just keep in mind that every vote for the Green Party is actually a vote for Romney and Ryan. Every vote that you take away from Obama gets the repubs that much closer to the White House.
Obama had a totally democratic controlled house and senate to work with and what did they accomplish on their own? You rail against the other side, but can not show accomplishments from yours.
Perhaps a more bipartisan group that follows sound economic policies would be much better than a leader who throws billions of tax dollars out to unstable companies that go bankrupt and steal our money instead of producing green alternatives.
This has become all too political because of lobbyist that bring big $$$ to both parties and common sense is thrown out the window.
As voters we need to look at each candidate for the good they have accomplished and forget about the money grubbing political parties.
Lets not forget congress. We can turn congress blue this November and then things, hopefully for the better, will get done.
there is some truth in what Gabby had said , however I'm reminded of what George Carlin had said in discussing the same topic . he stated that the American public has been forced into thinking of our political system as a two party only option , something I have also said and find very odd that we the public do . It's either /or ..many vote lesser of the two evils , as Carlin had said ( in america we don't have freedom of choice on shit that matters , like politics ! yet we can buy 32 flavors of ice cream , a hundred shades of lip stick .. yes we have freedom of choice, only on shit that doesn't matter .)
as a third party supporter from way back , the thought is to vote third party candidates in from the back door filling those seats in senate , congress, etc ..yes starting at the levels of local leaders, mayors, governors etc etc ... thats the only way third party candidates will influx government w/o $$$.
the other thing that bothers me is the example of many industrial nations having several parties, which work very well - many are euro allies , and not being" unstable "as claimed by many talking heads in this country would have you believing . ( germany being one with many parties, having a stable economy - fiscally sound enough to be bailing out other nations ) .
the other issue is simple "lobbing ", I understand the pros for lobbing - in a republic ,
however in a democracy where one vote is one vote lobbing is counter productive .. it then becomes simply an issue of how much money one wishes to spend , in that if I join many forums , those forums can donate , where I work and they can donate , on and on , the of course I can donate , then I can pull a lever = the greater my wealth , the greater number of lobbing forums , the larger foot print I leave .
which leads to another issue of companies ( why should companies have a right to vote ?)
who let this fly ..did anyone think about this at all , companies are made of employees -stockholders and such ..they have the right to vote those individuals each have a right to vote and protect their interests -
but giving them another platform as a group for a second stab at the apple - i'm calling that foul !
now lobbing regs are so lacks there are ways to filter the money , so that you really have no idea where the lobbyist funding originated ( and that my friends is scary )! but that's not all
I found myself watching a political program where panelists where saying , well this sounds scary but it's ok because , and get this logic , "both parties can /are doing this now so there is no real loser ".
sorry folks there is a real loser we the american public who can't afford to buy a candidate !
I'm impressed by those who thought Obama would be any different , for a second I thought he might be ..being the first African American US President ( maybe thinking of doing something that would make his presidency stand out in history ..etc then of course I realized I was being silly after all he out spent in his campaign the might Clinton machine ... so then I thought yep coming from Chicago he'll make sure those who bought him will get what they're paying for - yes without a doubt the US two party system is the best money can buy !
respectfully I disagree , every vote for greens is a vote for greens - however I know in reality even that doesn't matter ...unless the thought of the nation is a vote is a vote , one person ( one vote only )
we need a true popular vote count .
not the electoral college BS that keep parties that are in power, in power
this would also save on our election costs ,
no more gerrymandering -redistricting ..and all the other underhanded plots that benefit those who are we who are and are not collectively pay for
lastly and this is only a thought , why I believe we need a multi party system
* when ever two people or teams play games or sports for something of value you have a third person to ref.
* when two nations have a differences if possible before it gets out of hand , you have a third party to mediate .
seems to me that there is too much riding on the line to give two parties which I consider, two not so different sides of the same coin, let play good cop bad cop with policies that effect every matter of my life
letting the good old boys get fatter and fatter off of the countries wealth .
I find it scary when Romney finds climate change a joke. We must remind ourselves that we live on the Earth we are saving ourselves and our children and their children. What could be more pro life than saving our planet. Its a scary time when the only boat we have to float on in the sea we call space is being burnt down by the very people in it. No economy, no amount of money no modern convenience will be able to replace our air our water our forest our Earth. Evil rich corrupt forces are at work here. We have one house to live in called earth and its being sold off piece by piece for the benefit of a few. To many people have health problems due to pollution. Too many species and habitats are being lost to human greed, destruction and irresponsibility. Its time for mankind to put the house that god built first. Earth first.
Obama said global warming is a made up theory by Al Gore
Thank you for your piece. I have been disappointed by both President Obama and Mr. Romney. President Obama seems to take the environmental vote for granted, and Mr. Romney seems to think that there is a choice to be had between jobs and a clean, safe and healthy environment. The Green Party has so many issues in their platform and the environment does not seem to be at the top of the list. (Am I missing something?).
Thanks and I will keep my eyes open for events and ideas!
The government needs to make changes immediately so the choices that people make are only "green" choices, such as solar,wind energy systems, electric cars etc. My son-in-law this summer turned his front lawn in herbal gardens, vegetable gardens and planted flowers that attracted butterflies which added beauty, and beautiful scents which in turn send out a message to his neighbors that this might be a solution to chem-lawns. They enjoyed fresh vegetables all summer and are still harvesting delicious garlic and onions to all their meals.
I believe it is imperative that Earthjustice court people to run in elections, people that are going to take over the irresponsible governance that is killing our country, and the world actually with our free trade agreements which are also devastating other countries. American companies go into pristine environments in foreign countries which are given free trade and literally rape them of their resources. The only way we are going to take the reigns aways from corporate destroyers is to do this from within. Within the system We need candidates. Where are the candidates that will vote for the environment. Where are the candidates that will not be tempted to be bought? That's what we need!
I think it would be extremely helpful if Earthjustice looked at the Congressional report card system implemented by NumbersUSA. Their system makes it quick and easy to see what our representatives are really doing (not just claiming to do) and it also makes it simple to contact them and immediately voice your opinions, through phone or fax.
when all else fails...turn to the ,man upstairs...he'll get the job done that should have
been done in the first place...stop shell oil drilling...the lord has spoken...take heed...
you must see by now we have to save our one and only earth...
What ways can we see our lives contributing to improving the environment in our own back yards, our neighborhoods, small acts? With each small act we move beyond nay saying into positive focus and action? Consider how each of our small acts could contribute in a larger helpful way. Remember the basic physics of the bundling pieces of straw together to give strength. Our small acts combined give strength to our vision of a strong healthy home on Earth. Definitely make the positive effort of contacting elected officials to remind them that our home Earth matters most, for our lives and all future human generations.
Wake up America! We have to be the change!
The day will come when the question why? is asked of our future generation. Why we today didn't stand up and do something about our environment? We are putting our economy ahead our saving this world. Without this world and the environment we wont need jobs and or anything of monetary value. There will not be future generations. We need to work as a group to get the message out to those who are not aware of the significance of saving our environment before mankind becomes extinct like so many wildlife creatures have. Have we become a nation who doesn't care about anyone or anything but ourselves? Guess what?
You don't care about yourself either if you think this world will survive at the rate we are destroying it.
The senators and congressman need to start doing their jobs, and that is to protect our country in every sense of the word. I'm so tired of the whole mass. We are quick to go and solve other countries problems and yet we tie each others hands here in our own country. NOW is the time to DUE YOUR JOB that the American people elected you to due. Work together not against each other. Our people our fed up with lawmakers that only work for their own interest!
We, as a nation, have fallen victim to current industrial energy influence, propaganda (clean coal is still an oxymoron), and money. We are subsidizing the WRONG energy future for the healthy sustainability of our planet. We need to act now but think long-term. The shift from oil and coal subsidization to subsidies for clean, safe, renewable, low or no-carbon emission, energy technology is essential. Yet, the GOP controlled House of Representatives, just passed a bill (HR6213) te end U.S. loan guarantees to firms developing clean energy while freeing up to $34 billion in guarantees for nuclear energy and fossil fuels.
We must stop destroying our earth .. Our enviroment is causing great harm. People are going to wake up when it's too late. and there is nothing left.. Please Save The Earth!!
We need to steer politics away from solely considering the interests of big-money lobby groups; and discuss our environmental issues of today openly and honestly. We shouldn't continue "debating" what scientists already know to be true.
If we don't do something, who will?
This should be an easy question. Protecting the environment is a national security issue and a family values issue. Don't you think research and development in renewables will save trillions in wars with oil producing countries, money that could be spent in this country on education for jobs of the future. Let's step away from eighteenth century technology!
We must stop hurting this good Earth with environmental harm. Greed is going to kill the Earth. We must find other ways, or in time we will have destroyed everything.
There are way too many ignorant people out there who don't care what they hurt or whom they hurt just too make a buck or two. Unfortunately, in their misguided process they are riuning our environment, screwing up conservation efforts and driving our wildlife to extinction .. why? They are selfish and uneducated !!
Please for your fellow americans sake and the sake of our planet please gain some knowledge about what you are killing because once it's gone it's gone foreverand we will never get it back.
Set aside your cruel thinking for a minute and think of our future generations - your children, our grandchildren - what they are going to have to try to undo after you have driven Mother Earth to a non-existence....global warming, climate change, animals gone, no forests, air & water pollution and the list goes on... now do you understand what I've been trying to tell you?
Stop being arrogant - promote LIFE not death.
Thank You, I couldn't have said it better!
WE have let OUR climate change issues be secondary to jobs and economy for far too long. WE must step up and ask the right questions now.
There should be a "take action" link to send this message to the appropriate places, if that can be done.
we only have one earth, let's save it
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