Environment--Brienne

Our environment has become a very intense problem in today's society. You constantly hear about people buying hybrid cars or using more energy efficient light bulbs, or things of that sort. Recycling has even become popular. All the T.V. channels are talking about how everyone needs to be "green" and live a "green" lifestyle. In fact, my aunt is currently in the process of building an environmentally friendly house. It is this kind of change that needs to occur soon, before it is too late. We have experienced many natural disasters in the last few years, and I am no expert, but I am sure global warming has contributed in some way to their occurrences. First it was the tsunami, then, and closer to home, was hurricane Katrina. Not to mention the several other natural disasters that weren't as disastrous. It is just a matter of time. Change is something that has to happen in order for us to survive. This is why the politicians' plans for the environment is a hot topic in this election. We need to bring about change, and either Clinton, Obama, or McCain is going to be the one responsible for doing it. Clinton wants to put $5 billion towards green-collar jobs, support green-collar job training, advocate a cap and trade system, and come up with a way to reduce air pollution to improve children's health. She has already launched an EPA study of air quality at Ground Zero, voted to include oil and gas smokestacks in mercury regulations, and sponsored a bill for tax credit to remove lead-based paint. She has also put much time and effort towards recovering from Hurricane Katrina, something that should have been completed long ago. Obama has the same attitude as Clinton regarding the environment and the need to clean it up. He wants to end the notion of Yucca Mountain nuclear storage, promote green technologies and fuel efficiency standards, and protect the Great Lakes and National Parks and Forests. His past also proves that he is willing to put his plans into action. He has organized inner-city recycling, passed lead abatement and 24 other environmental laws in the IL senate, and spent three months working on minority students recycling. While I am more supportive of Obama in this campaign, both Democratic candidates have proven that they are willing to do what it takes to end this environmental crisis. Even John McCain, the more conservative candidate, has taken steps to ending global warming. He wants much tougher regulations on emission requirements and voted to require EPA risk assessments. However, he isn't the most constant candidate when it comes to protecting the environment. He voted against protecting the deserts in CA, along with some other minor actions that sends mixed messages. This is not surprising, though. Until recently, the stereotypical conservative did not feel the environment was a problem. They felt we could live how we pleased and thought no consequences would follow. Not to say that the stereotypical democrat was taking all the actions necessary to preserving our environment. However, global warming is now a problem that most people believe needs to be solved.