Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumTrump’s Perspective on Climate Change Is Ridiculous, But Democrats Aren’t Much Better
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601906/trumps-perspective-on-climate-change-is-ridiculous-but-democrats-arent-much-better/[font size=4]Unfortunately, Democrats are ignoring the one thing that could really help curb carbon emissions.[/font]
by Michael Reilly | July 14, 2016
[font size=3]We are familiar with Donald Trumps stance on climate change: its a con job perpetrated by the Chinese. His views on energy policy are strongly pro-coal, but also contradict themselves. The Republican Partys 2016 platform also describes coal as a clean source of energy.
Whats surprising, though, is that Democrats position is functionally not much better. President Barack Obama has signed the Paris accord and made big claims about cutting emissions in the U.S. But his Clean Power Plan is held up in the Supreme Court, and the one thing that would make the biggest difference in reducing carbon emissions appears nowhere in sight.
Hillary Clinton, the partys presumptive presidential nominee, has a climate change plan. It is supportive of Obamas Clean Power Plan. And there are broad promises to cut subsidies for the oil and gas industry, as well as an oft-repeated tagline that Clinton wants to make the United States the clean energy superpower of the 21st century.
Its certainly a far cry from Trumps flamboyant opposition to promoting renewable energy or cutting carbon emissions. But Clintons climate platform leaves out one big thing: a carbon tax.
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CrowCityDem
(2,348 posts)arcane1
(38,613 posts)CrowCityDem
(2,348 posts)OKIsItJustMe
(19,940 posts)Lets say that Donald Trump says, Climate change is a hoax, so Im not going to do anything about it.
Now, lets say that Hillary Clinton says, Climate change is very, very real, and a serious threat, but Im not going to do anything about it.
Which policy would be better at combating climate change?
[hr]
Now, as it turns out, Hillary Clinton has not said she will do nothing. However, has she proposed doing something which will be effective in combating climate change?
https://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/climate/
Hillarys plan is designed to deliver on the pledge President Obama made at the Paris climate conference last Decemberwithout relying on climate deniers in Congress to pass new legislation. Her plan will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30 percent in 2025 relative to 2005 levels and put the country on a path to cut emissions more than 80 percent by 2050. Her approach will catalyze new investment and economic opportunity across the country, create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, reduce energy bills and save families money, make our country more secure, and protect our families and communities from pollution.
CrowCityDem
(2,348 posts)OKIsItJustMe
(19,940 posts)OK, I admit it, the house is on fire. Thats why Im turning on the sink sprayer.
OKIsItJustMe
(19,940 posts)Essentially, the article argues that to be effective, Clintons climate policy needs a carbon tax (something Bernie Sanders supported.)
NNadir
(33,594 posts)...in the 19th century, coupled with toxic semiconductors with limited availability will "save the day."
That happens right here. We see it all the time, even though so called "renewable energy" has been useless at slowing climate change gas accumulations.
The last time anyone in this country had a clue about energy was when Glenn Seaborg was serving at a quasi-cabinet level in the Johnson and Kennedy administrations.
That was a long time ago.
It's all been wishful thinking since then, coupled with reactionary ideas, fantasies, and ignorance, right and left.
Have a nice evening.