Climate Change

The election is 29 weeks from today.  This week issue is climate change & energy.  For more on my reasoning behind my weekly focus, click here.

When it comes to climate change, there seem to be two camps.  You either trust that study after study linking human action to global warming as true and recognize that our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels has consequences, or you believe it is all one big conspiracy.  Truthfully, I try to remain unbiased, but come on.  It’s science.  I believe in science.  I believe in questioning science and I believe this has been questioned.  It will continue to be questioned and if there is new data, I will look at that.  But, for now, it is pretty much settled.  So, you either trust science or you don’t.  Science doesn’t have to exclude religion, though.  You either believe we have a responsibility to care for creation or you don’t.  The good news is that no matter which side you find yourself on, there is a candidate for you.  The bad news is that for you, there is an equally frightening candidate on the other side.  Basically, if you believe climate change is a problem that needs addressing, Clinton or Sanders are pretty equal.  If you believe that the fossil fuel lobby deserves our support, Cruz or Trump for president.

Clinton:  This seems to be a big issue for Clinton.  What I have here just scratches the surface.  Clinton wants to install 500 million solar panels by the end of her first term and generate enough renewable energy to power every home in America.  She also wants to cut energy waste in homes schools and hospitals by a third and reduce oil consumption by a third through cleaner fuels and more efficient cars, boilers, ships, and trucks.  She wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in 2025 compared to 2005 and put the country on the path to cut emissions more than 80% by 2050.  She believes this will create new economic opportunity by creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, reducing energy bills, and protecting our communities from pollution.  She wants to launch a $60 billion Clean Energy Challenge, invest in clean energy, ensure safe and reasonable energy production, end tax subsidies for oil and gas companies, cut methane emissions, and revitalize coal communities.

Cruz:  Ted Cruz doesn’t believe in climate change caused by humans.  He does not believe in global warming.  He repeatedly refers to satellite data that show know global warming over the past 18 years.  He wants to prohibit the government from regulating green house gas emissions. He believes we are on the verge of an American energy renaissance and supports oil, natural gas, and ethanol.  He will lift regulations prohibiting things like the Keystone pipeline.

Sanders:  Sanders also has a very detailed plan to fight climate change which includes fighting the billion dollar fossil fuel lobby, transitioning away from fossil fuels, and investing in clean, sustainable energy.

Trump:  Trump also does not believe in man-made climate change.