Tell the 2008 Presidential Candidates Your Ideas for Moving Forward on Climate and Energy
Global climate change is perhaps the greatest economic, environmental, and political challenge the world faces today. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently won the Nobel Peace Prize for delivering the consensus of the world's scientists: the earth's climate is changing rapidly as a direct result of human activities.
Last year a California-sized piece of the Antarctic melted. Australia is in the midst of a 6 year droughtcalled their worst in 1000 years. Indiawith over a billion people to feedmay lose 50 percent of its crop production in our lifetime because of this climate chaos. The time for action is now.
All countries must dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions if we are to avoid catastrophic consequences of climate change on nations and peoples around the world. And the United States, the world's leading polluter, has to lead the way.
Negotiators from around the world recently met in Bali, Indonesia, to create framework for moving forward in the fight against global warming.
Now it's your turn. What should the next President do, On Day One, to establish U.S. leadership in combating climate change?
The candidate that is elected President will have many issues to deal with. Climate change and energy is just one of them, but it is extremely important to our country and our world. Participants of OnDayOne.org have provided their ideas for what the new President should do on his/her first day of office. Here are some examples:
Global Warming Marshall Plan:
National Mobilization on Global Warming. We need a Marshal Plan here as big as the NASA Moonwalk Program to 1) Cap Carbon w/tax 2) Create Green Renewable Power Industries (like Google has) w/seed $$$, w/tax breaks for every house installing Solar and/or Wind Power, and All Utilities accepting surplus power back into their grids. 3) Massive Tree Plantings (like China) using a domestic Peace Corps (WPA style) planting multi-millions of Trees. And thereby regain the respect and trust of the Planet.
Submit Kyoto for Ratification:
Submit the Kyoto Protocol for ratification by Congress. There are outstanding concerns, such as the participation of countries like China, but it is a step in the right direction. 720 American cities and the entire state of California have already made a commitment to Kyoto. At this point, it is the least a national leader can do.
Tax Carbon to Fight Global Warming:
Put a tax on carbon and other greenhouse gases so we can fight our climate crisis. A cap and trade will inevitably be manipulated by the market and business looking to make a buck. We need a REAL price on carbon and other pollutants.
