CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change is here and we can already see its effects. We have changing growing seasons, storm seasons, more powerful weather events, devastating coastal erosion, and water shortages – these have disproportionately affected our farmers, workers, and most vulnerable. Comprehensive climate change legislation will lead to a cleaner planet, job growth, better infrastructure, and a more just and equal society. To start, we need only look at the branches of our armed forces and the world’s biggest companies to see how strategies to adapt to a changing climate are already part of our defense and business communities. We need to take the next step and make sure we are fostering some of the change and innovation that will help us also become dominant in the technologies used to adapt to climate change. We cannot sit by and watch as other nations develop better solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear technologies and facilities. Being a leader in these areas will not only enable us to build better green technology, but continue to innovate and expand our economic power. We can make sure that our companies are the leaders in the market, and to do so involves great research from our federal labs in conjunction with the research conducted in universities and the private sector. Together, we can make sure that clean air and water, a healthy planet, and a brighter tomorrow are not just dreams, but the expectations for our children.
MY PRIORITIES:
Insist on higher environmental standards in federal facilities, contracts, and recipients of federal aid
Encourage research and investment in green technology
Encourage job creation efforts in green technology sectors
Raise environment standards on consumer products, including higher vehicle emission standards and production standards
Move away from subsidies and funding for fossil fuels