In the first part of Scott Russell Sanders' "A Conservationist Manifesto," Sanders makes the basic point that all of the efforts in conserving our resources and educating ourselves on the basic upkeep of our diminishing planet completely depend on our population. We, as the earths inhabitants, are the sole caretakers of the earth and it requires a joint effort to ensure that we take care of our home.
Most of Sanders' thoughts seem to follow the idea that we all need to be on the same page in terms of environmental issues in order to most efficiently and simply work on solving the issues our earth has been presented with. Through his reading and getting a grip on where Sanders' standpoints are, I believe that his objective is to unite all of the world to address environmental concerns.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Obama's Unfulfilled Promises on the Environment are Understandable, but Must be Addressed
President Obama's environmental initiatives are a work in progress. They have definitely been put on the back burner while he focuses on issues such as health care, financial reform, and the economy. Unlike the Bush administration, he does believe in strong environmental regulation by the federal government. His appointments to the EPA reflect his view. But he does not have the necessary votes in the senate to accomplish some of his environmental priorities and as a result, he has not been able to have passed what he believes is important, such as his cap and trade proposal and other limits on pollution.
Obama has not been able to fulfill his campaign promises largely because he has had other priorities which he wanted to achieve first. Also, he has run into a Republican brick wall that favors business and opposes any regulation that creates a hardship for business, such as environmental regulations. Although his heart is in the right place, he has not been able to move things forward on the environment.
The president's environmental policies have also been diverted by the BP oil spill. This has taken away many of his initiatives because of the need to focus on the immediate after effects of the spill. He was criticized for not responding sooner to this environmental disaster. Some environmentalists thought that President Obama gave too much authority to BP in managing the cleanup.
The federal government has the power to regulate the environment both through legislation and sometimes executive orders. The president also can try to encourage and persuade businesses to be environmentally responsible. I believe that the federal government must play an active role in regulating the environment and I am hoping that the Obama administration will move this issue to the front burner after the fall elections.
Obama has not been able to fulfill his campaign promises largely because he has had other priorities which he wanted to achieve first. Also, he has run into a Republican brick wall that favors business and opposes any regulation that creates a hardship for business, such as environmental regulations. Although his heart is in the right place, he has not been able to move things forward on the environment.
The president's environmental policies have also been diverted by the BP oil spill. This has taken away many of his initiatives because of the need to focus on the immediate after effects of the spill. He was criticized for not responding sooner to this environmental disaster. Some environmentalists thought that President Obama gave too much authority to BP in managing the cleanup.
The federal government has the power to regulate the environment both through legislation and sometimes executive orders. The president also can try to encourage and persuade businesses to be environmentally responsible. I believe that the federal government must play an active role in regulating the environment and I am hoping that the Obama administration will move this issue to the front burner after the fall elections.
Our Environment Needs a Strong Federal Hand
The environment is so pervasive that it requires collective regulation rather than individual effort to control it properly. Since our environment transcends state and city boundaries, it is necessary for the federal government to be involved in its regulation. Anything short of federal regulation would be ineffective.
The regulation by the government of environmental matters is an appropriate function of the federal government because it involves the health and safety of all citizens just like providing an army to protect us during a war. Problems like global warming, pollution, and acid rain are issues that can only be solved at the highest level of government. To address environmental matters, it requires both federal government regulation as well as individual effort. However, the federal government must be the key to both regulating and encouraging environmental initiatives.
Federal regulation is the preferred instrument because coordination between all levels of government is necessary. This is consistent with my own political belief that the government should play an important role in solving issues that are important to our lives, such as the environment we live in, healthcare, financial regulation, and minimum standards of living.
The regulation by the government of environmental matters is an appropriate function of the federal government because it involves the health and safety of all citizens just like providing an army to protect us during a war. Problems like global warming, pollution, and acid rain are issues that can only be solved at the highest level of government. To address environmental matters, it requires both federal government regulation as well as individual effort. However, the federal government must be the key to both regulating and encouraging environmental initiatives.
Federal regulation is the preferred instrument because coordination between all levels of government is necessary. This is consistent with my own political belief that the government should play an important role in solving issues that are important to our lives, such as the environment we live in, healthcare, financial regulation, and minimum standards of living.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Personal Standpoints on Environment and Politics
When I sit back and think about which environmental philosophy I can most relate to, I feel a sense of indecisiveness. Through this process I have confirmed that I cannot place myself in one category, but rather I am characterized by an eclectic assortment of qualities from each different philosophical viewpoint.
I would admit to claiming the negative aspects of these groups as well. For example, I can definitely own up to feeling a sense of cornucopian, (which is the philosophy that we will be able to replace the resources we expend now with technology in the future, as well as the idea that the environmentalism in today's society obstructs their way of life) especially given the time period I was raised in. I disagree with the idea that that exercises to save our planet get in the way of my life, but I cannot help but be naive enough to rely on technology to help save our planet once we use up its natural resources. Like I said, I will admit to these negatively viewed aspects, but I may not be proud of them.
Another group I would associate myself with is conservationism. This idea represents the group of people that strive to conserve our resources and planet to utilize as our habitat, yet not expend unnecessarily. I would definitely place myself somewhere under that category; I agree with the entire idea of practically using our resources in a way that conserves them to last us and keep our planet in its best condition.
As for politics, I would place myself in the left wing. I was raised in a family that supports gay rights, womens rights, and all types of equality. My father is a democrat lawyer with interest in political issues. Often times at the dinner table growing up my family would discuss issues on hot political topics, and I would hear each of their opinions. I support liberal concepts, which I believe associates with environmental issues by endorsing the idea of progression and reform. It leaves the door open to help the environment by means of technology, adjustments, or any other type of attempts to save our planet. I also believe that conservative, or right wing, efforts would be minimal and conflicting with standard beliefs.
I am strong in keeping an open mind at most things in life, so I am open to others opinions and supportive of their beliefs, though they might not be mine. We will see throughout this course if I am introduced to entirely new concepts that make me rethink my own beliefs!
I would admit to claiming the negative aspects of these groups as well. For example, I can definitely own up to feeling a sense of cornucopian, (which is the philosophy that we will be able to replace the resources we expend now with technology in the future, as well as the idea that the environmentalism in today's society obstructs their way of life) especially given the time period I was raised in. I disagree with the idea that that exercises to save our planet get in the way of my life, but I cannot help but be naive enough to rely on technology to help save our planet once we use up its natural resources. Like I said, I will admit to these negatively viewed aspects, but I may not be proud of them.
Another group I would associate myself with is conservationism. This idea represents the group of people that strive to conserve our resources and planet to utilize as our habitat, yet not expend unnecessarily. I would definitely place myself somewhere under that category; I agree with the entire idea of practically using our resources in a way that conserves them to last us and keep our planet in its best condition.
As for politics, I would place myself in the left wing. I was raised in a family that supports gay rights, womens rights, and all types of equality. My father is a democrat lawyer with interest in political issues. Often times at the dinner table growing up my family would discuss issues on hot political topics, and I would hear each of their opinions. I support liberal concepts, which I believe associates with environmental issues by endorsing the idea of progression and reform. It leaves the door open to help the environment by means of technology, adjustments, or any other type of attempts to save our planet. I also believe that conservative, or right wing, efforts would be minimal and conflicting with standard beliefs.
I am strong in keeping an open mind at most things in life, so I am open to others opinions and supportive of their beliefs, though they might not be mine. We will see throughout this course if I am introduced to entirely new concepts that make me rethink my own beliefs!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)