As an environmentalist and a global citizen, I endorse Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election. Obama has the creativity, the dedication, and the ability (to use his own empowering word) to bring about a serious change in attitude and practice to solve the most pressing issue of our time: global climate change. In terms of their proposed policies for responding to climate change, Obama and Hillary Clinton stack up quite similarly. They both are advocating for an 80 percent reduction of carbon emissions by 2050 and propose an investment plan of $150 billion over ten years for renewable energy development, among many other almost identical plans. Unfortunately, environmental issues have not gotten enough attention so far in debates; hopefully this will change in the near future. Truth be told, John Edwards’s environmental proposals were the most stringent and comprehensive, and his devotion to climate change mitigation fueled both Obama and Clinton to strengthen their own policies. Obama proved himself visionary and serious about reducing carbon emissions when he stepped up and declared that 100 percent of cap-and-trade credits would be auctioned rather than given out for free, thus forcing all polluters to pay for any and all emissions. Clinton has since followed Obama’s lead, though it is notable and admirable that Obama was the frontrunner in this respect.
Obama’s environmental proposals differ from Clinton’s in his focus on bringing the United States up to the international leadership position in which it belongs. Obama has incorporated and specifically addressed his plans to re-engage the world’s leaders to determine a unified course of action. He is ready and willing to accept more responsibility in the international arena where the United States is the largest polluter. He claims that immediately after taking office, he would “invite the world back to Washington” and conduct a sincere effort to plan for emissions reductions internationally. Such a collaborative international agenda is absolutely essential to addressing the issues of climate change, which truly are universal in scope. Obama has a global perspective that transcends Clinton’s more nationally focused outlook. In fact, Clinton does not even address international cooperation or treaty building in her summary of proposed environmental policies.
Obama insists that the United States takes a leading role in becoming a symbol of a responsible, innovative nation. In a speech he delivered on Oct. 8, 2007 in Portsmouth, N.H., Obama explained, “The question is not if a renewable energy economy will thrive in the future, it’s where. And if we want that place to be the United States of America, we can’t afford to wait any longer.” Obama’s “Plan for a Clean Energy Future” details national efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy technology. He has set interim targets for 2020, 2030, and 2040 to ensure these measures are fully executed. Obama is dedicated to increasing the production of renewable energy on American soil and taking the lead in alternative fuel development. He calls on the federal government to make all of its buildings carbon neutral by 2025.
In order to make this plan feasible, especially for those struggling to make ends meet, Obama promises to help families and factories to convert their systems to function in a clean energy economy. He acknowledges that corn-based ethanol, though the most successful renewable energy source to date, cannot be the only source of alternative fuels, and thus will seek to increase production of other cleaner fuel sources. He encourages the integration of smaller, local farms and refineries to develop and produce these fuels, stimulating business in areas outside of corporate conglomerates. A firm believer in issues of social justice, Obama also supports the green jobs movement, which seeks to stimulate the renewable energy market while providing training and jobs for the underprivileged. In the same speech in October, Obama declared, “My plan isn’t just about making dirty energy expensive, it’s about making clean energy affordable—a project that will create millions of new jobs and entire new industries right here in America.”
All in all, Obama is the strongest presidential candidate in this election and brings hope to those who care about the environment, social justice, the state of our country, and the state of the world. He is truly inspirational and if elected will work to mobilize Americans on the national and international fronts to act as responsible citizens in the environment of today and the future. Vote for Obama in the today’s Democratic primary and cast your vote for a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
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