The purpose of this blog is to inform, educate and encourage teenagers to make environmentally conscious decisions. On November 8th, arguably the most important environmental decision will be made.
Who will be our next president, and hence who will control the course of environmental policy for the next four years?
Powerless.
That's probably how you feel. Elections are crazy things, and especially as a minor, it can be frustrating to witness such an important event while not even having a say.
But just because you don't have a vote doesn't mean your educated opinion isn't important. Opinions carry weight. Share them. Influence others. If you can't vote, try and get someone else to vote in your favor.
Fortunately, both Luke and I turned 18 last month, so we'll be able to cast our ballots (though his is arguably more impactful than mine, as he lives in Ohio and I in Texas) on Tuesday.
We know that there are many issues to look at when voting for a president, whether economical or social or whatever else, but we, as treehuggers, see environmental problems are more urgent than any other. Other issues aside, here's the plans (or lack thereof) that each presidential candidate has to protect our wonderful Mother Earth.
We know that there are many issues to look at when voting for a president, whether economical or social or whatever else, but we, as treehuggers, see environmental problems are more urgent than any other. Other issues aside, here's the plans (or lack thereof) that each presidential candidate has to protect our wonderful Mother Earth.
Dr. Jill Stein (Green)
Stein wants to implement a "Green New Deal" to help combat the rising issues of climate change. She also claims it will create 20 million jobs. She's running as the Green Party candidate, which, as it sounds, has a platform based primarily on environmental and social issues (the party also promotes non-violence). So, very treehugger-friendly!
- end fracking and offshore drilling
- redirect funding to renewables
- no nuclear power-- no subsidies for nuclear or fossil fuels
- incentives for renewables
- greenhouse gas tax on all polluters
- smart energy grid based on renewables
- 100% clean energy by 2030
- ban neonicotinoids and other harmful pesticides
- label GMOs, ban until proven safe
- environmental justice
- make sure minorities aren't disproportionately disadvantaged by environmental issues
- warrant is out for her arrest for protesting Dakota Access Pipeline
Mr. Donald Trump (Republican)
Here's his stance on environmental issues:
- climate change is a hoax perpetrated by China
- pledged to save the coal industry
- using "clean coal"
- approved Keystone XL gas pipeline
- withdraw from Paris Global Climate Action
- promotes on- and off-shore drilling
- open shale energy deposits
- expand land use for fossil fuel extraction
- dismantle E.P.A.
- dismantle Clean Power Plan
- as little environmental regulations as possible
Sec. Hillary Clinton (Democrat)
Secretary Clinton's plan for the environment centers around continuing and expanding on government regulation, combatting climate change by converting to clean energy sources, and supporting the Paris Climate Agreements. The Democratic party has historically been more environmentally friendly than the Republican party, but many feel that Secretary Clinton's plan is not progressive enough.
- Climate change is a legitimate, pressing issue
- advisory counsel to help on key environmental policy and issues. with members like former EPA Administrator Carol Browner and former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm.
- No drilling off the eastern sea board for oil nor in the Arctic
- Pledged to support half of the nation's energy needs with clean energy
- Some look at this as not progressive enough - by 2030.
- Supports the Paris Climate Agreement
- install half a million solar panels by end of first term and generate enough renewable energy to power every home in 10 years.
- Benefits to coal focused communities who shift to cleaner energy grids
- "Opposes" the Keystone XL Pipeline
- Create an Environmental Task Force
- react to cumulative environmental problems (env. racism, water crisis')
- Doesn't really support fracking - doesn't see how it will be implemented.
- Opposes privatization of federally protected lands
- Wants to create more renewable energy sources on them
- Replace the Land and Water Conservation Fund with the American Parks Trust Fund
- Put more money into the localized environment
- Western Water Partnership
- Continue to use our forests for timber but only in a sustainable manner
- Reverse or slow the decline of at-risk species' resources
Read more about her platform here.
Mr. Gary Johnson (Libertarian)
Mr. Johnson, in classic libertarian style, believes that the federal government should leave environmental regulation to the consumers and states that entities such as the EPA should only be for protecting against pollutants. Since this is his only real view on climate change and the environment in general, he really doesn't have a comprehensive plan for any real environmental issue. While he states he believes in climate change, many see his goals as being too much of a laissez-faire approach to such an urgent issue.
- Supports the EPA
- Only when it is protecting us from harm -- not trying to control our country
- Protect the environment for our future generations
- Does not think government run initiatives to stop climate change and environmental regulation will do any good - needs to be free market based
- Believes that the decline in revenue is based solely on the free market, not government regulation (many analysts strongly disagree with this view)
- The free market chose natural gas over coal
- If the Keystone XL Pipeline is an issue of eminent domain - then he does not support it, but if not, he does.
- Favors Nuclear power
- Believes in a carbon tax
- Just announced this view in August -- revenue neutral
- Believes climate change is "probably" real and "probably" man-caused
- Keeps an open mind on fracking
- Opposes cap and trade legislation
Read more about his platform here.
So what?
This election is
monumental. Lives are depending on it. The Earth is depending on it. Our world
is depending on it.
Our planet is the very foundation of everything we have. Without it, humanity wouldn't exist-- let alone argue over taxes or foreign policy. This is why we encourage you, even if you can't vote yet, to make sure that you consider the environment when you choose who you support to lead our country.
This is why we support Hillary Clinton. She is the most likely candidate to bring about real change to environmental policy. While we most definitely align ourselves behind Jill Stein and the Green Party's platform more aptly, we feel like this is not the election to vote out of our two party system.
As millennials, as teenagers, and most importantly, as children of this Earth, it is so, so important to keep Trump out of office for the sake of the planet amongst many other things, which is why both of your favorite treehuggers are uniting behind Hillary for this election (though we both might vote Green in a different election).
Our planet is the very foundation of everything we have. Without it, humanity wouldn't exist-- let alone argue over taxes or foreign policy. This is why we encourage you, even if you can't vote yet, to make sure that you consider the environment when you choose who you support to lead our country.
This is why we support Hillary Clinton. She is the most likely candidate to bring about real change to environmental policy. While we most definitely align ourselves behind Jill Stein and the Green Party's platform more aptly, we feel like this is not the election to vote out of our two party system.
As millennials, as teenagers, and most importantly, as children of this Earth, it is so, so important to keep Trump out of office for the sake of the planet amongst many other things, which is why both of your favorite treehuggers are uniting behind Hillary for this election (though we both might vote Green in a different election).
