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.
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.
Americans need to think of themselves as global citizens and collaborate with other citizens and nations in the world-- We can't afford to go it alone!
Our foolish rush to ethanol is seeing the encreased demise of old growth forest upon the globe. While I advocate the usage of Industrial Hemp for our paper and wood product usage, there is another alternative. Bamboo, with varieties that can be grown at 50 degrees latitude is an excellent plant for eco usage. The carbon sequesterian abilites and range of this plant is almost as universal as Hemp itself. I call for the Secretary of Agriculture, to launch a study in the benefits of Bamboo.
Introduce a carbon tax at a significant level such as 60$ per tonne co2. Use this revenue to reduce income tax with the greatest reduction at low income levels to avoid the regressive nature of a carbon tax.
n.b This green tax switch is no substitute for a cap and trade scheme.
Invest serious money (10s of billions of dollars) in renewable energy - solar and wind, not "ethanol". Stop giving tax breaks to oil companies. We need to be 100% independent from foreign oil from unstable countries and we need to stop global warming.
OD1, stop calling Nuclear Energy a "Clean" source of energy. It may not emit C02, but nuclear waste are some of the most toxic materials ever created. Its long terms effects on the world are not mitigated by a lack of greenhouse emissions. To reduce the effects of climate change (and rising cancer rates), our next president must stop call nuclear a "clean" power source. I doubt the people of Nevada consider nuclear energy a clean alternative to coal. Hydorelectricity... there's clean power!
As water issues are becoming more prominent. We must address the issue of waste water treatment facilites and their capacity, in areas where projected increased precipatation will occur.
I have seen to many town papers up and down Mississippi report on discharges into the water after heavy rains.
Therefore we call for the creation of a public works campaign to address these issues. An opportunity to put people to work, feed families, provide health care and spur the economy.
Public transit in most parts of the United States is abysmal. On Day One, the next president should start an initiative to help smaller cities get funding to build or improve public transit systems. This will help alleviate the massive traffic problems faced in so many places, reduce dependence on oil, reduce drunk driving problems, create a stronger sense of community among strangers, and help to alter the outdated patterns of development that are killing our country's natural beauty.
