Credit: Zhou Changguo/AP
When President Barack Obama unveiled the Clean Power Plan in the East Room of the White House three years ago, he called it “the single most important step America has ever taken in the fight against global climate change.” Today, that plan, which would have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 19% in 2030 relative to 2005 levels, will be replaced by the Trump administration’s “Affordable Clean Energy” proposal, which will give states more authority to craft regulations for coal-burning power plants and replaces the “overly prescriptive and burdensome” requirements in the CPP with what they describe as “on-site, heat-rate efficiency improvements.”
These regulations are expected to only decrease CO2 levels by a fraction of the amount that were anticipated under Obama’s plan. The Environmental Protection Agency has acknowledged this will lead to hundreds of more deaths each year, along with sharp increases in the number of hospital admissions, lost work days, and school absences because of the health impacts of dirtier air. Not to mention the fact that increased emissions of carbon dioxide will further accelerate global warming.
“The […]
No more Jill Steins? I read the tea leaves a bit differently. The elected Democrats’ lust for personal power and privilege is just as strong as the Republicans’ . . . don’t you think? Viewed from my (admittedly remote), vantage point, Obama blew his opportunity to make the best of a potential sea change in politics. I supported him in 2008, and, although I don’t know the personal political realities he had to deal with, I found his leadership lacking, and supported Jill Stein in 2012. In 2016 I supported Sanders, hoping for the DNC and HRC to see the writing on the wall. We desperately needed a change, rather than the same ‘ol same ‘ol pablum. We got the one we apparently needed, rather than the one we wanted, didn’t we? Let’s hope Mr. T riles enough people to instigate not just disgruntlement, but courageous behavior on behalf of the common good of all the planet . . . not just the common rich white male American.
Good work, Stefan . . . you provoked this response! Keep on keeping on. I like what you’re doing.
Karl —
We have a two party system. Jill Stein had zero, repeat zero, chance of being elected President. If you voted for Jill Stein you voted for Donald Trump and if you don’t understand that you live in some other reality.