President Obama supports a bill that aims to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, tackle the rise in greenhouse gases and create millions of clean-energy jobs. This bill, which includes a cap and trade system that would curb carbon emissions 20% by 2020 and a renewal energy standard that would require a certain amount of alternative energy be used every year, has created much debate in Congress, for many different groups exist, having different demands. (These demands and arguments can be found here)
Even though many who support the bill believe that it will create millions of clean-energy jobs and save families hundreds of dollars a year, there are still those who believe that the bill is a "huge mistake" that will “increase the cost of living and maybe kill jobs.” (Climate Bill ‘Huge Mistake’)
I think that even though the climate bill has flaws, it is a great start to a problem that has been ignored for too long. Yes, there are many opposing sides to the bill, and lets face it, not everybody is going to be satisfied with all parts of it, but it is a much needed bill. Since previous bills focusing exclusively on capping emissions have gone nowhere, other provisions aimed at increasing energy efficiency, encouraging cleaner energy sources, and providing subsidies for industries that produce them have been made.
So with many people and Republicans believing that the bill would bankrupt the economy, the truth is that no one knows how much this bill will cost because one like it has never been done.
As stated in The Climate Debate Heats Up, the emissions cap will not begin to bite until 2012 and that past programs to clean the air have always cost less than predicted. And, if the scientists are right, we know that the costs of doing nothing will dwarf the costs of acting now.
So the Climate Bill is definitely important, and I believe that it is a good thing that the bill is being debated in Congress so that a solution will be made and it can be passed.
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As I see it Republicans are bitter and belligerent, and soon we might not have a Republican party to speak of at all according to some historians. They are shooting down this energy bill but they dont have good enough reasons for doing so and they don't have a plan in place to say here your bill sucks but we have something better and more efficient.
ReplyDeleteMembers of the Republican party that have common sense have asked their peers to come up with ideas or shut up because criticism is always easier than actually coming up with a plan. I have heard people complain even about the government spending that is going on saying that it won't work as they are saying with this bill that has not even been put into play. As Bianca has pointed out in her article no one knows what the outcome will be. Wouldn't that be awesome if we could know what the future held, existance would be meaningless because as I see it life is all about discovery and learning from our mistakes. I certainly hope that the bill will be passed soon ,because my mother who is 50years young will be starting school this summer at ACC and her major is in one of the new degrees that will enable her to be qaulified for a green job when she graduates.
I love this qoute at the end of the new york times article, that Bianca links her blog to "And, if the scientists are right, we know that the costs of doing nothing will dwarf the costs of acting now." The republican party can learn a thing or two from that qoute.