Green Initiatives Threatened by Looming Fiscal Cliff

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Tax

Tax (Photo credit: 401(K) 2012)

Any discussion of the looming fiscal cliff must address the impact on green initiatives as any budget cuts or tax increases will adversely impact the efforts of both families and businesses to go green.  With the realization that compromises will have to be made on both sides across the aisle, it remains important that our elected representatives focus on the fact that governmental spending need to include investment in human and physical matters that will pay dividends in the future.  A green economy qualifies for such investment because its tenets lead to a healthier society and an environmentally friendly world.

Several of the tax incentives for living green were derived from the Bush era tax cuts, which are scheduled to expire at the end of this year if not renewed by Congress, thus creating the looming fiscal cliff.  A few notable ones to mention are as follows:

  • The residential energy efficiency credit.  This credit is given to homeowners who purchase high energy-efficient appliances and home improvements.  Many Americans have received reductions in tax liability through the use of these credits while at the same time making their homes more energy-efficient.
  • The American Opportunity Credit.  This credit provides a $2500 tuition tax credit, thereby enabling more people to go to college.  This opportunity directly affects the potential pool of trained people needed in the research and development of green technology and the direct training needed for operation of green industries.
  • The payroll tax credit.  Taxpayers will see a decrease in their take home checks if this credit expires, thus impacting their ability to exercise healthier choices in the purchase of foods and organic products.
  • The production tax credit (PTC).  This credit subsidizes wind power by 2.2 cents a kilowatt hour.  This is important to states and localities working hard to establish wind power as an alternative energy source.

As the discussion and bargaining proceed over the next few weeks, it is important that we advocate our positions on green initiatives which will be affected by budget decisions.  Now is the time to contact your congressmen by phone or email and state your position on these issues.  Today’s investment of time will reap tomorrow’s dividends.  Let’s live green, be green.

Sources:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324073504578104464153878672.html?mod=rss_economy

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/energy-environment/wind-power/index.html

 

Clearing the Obstacles from the Green Path

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With the dawn of the new political environment, the first duty of the green movement is to design a comprehensive strategy to ensure that its voice will be heard in the anticipated dialogue on climate change and global warming. The primary focus must be on advocacy with the goal of keeping the problems associated with climate change in the national spotlight.

A preliminary and ongoing requirement of the roadmap to a green path remains the removal of obstacles from this pathway.  A successful model to accomplish this task can be found in the work of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV).  Since 1996, this organization has worked hard to expose and defeat elected officials and candidates (regardless of party affiliation) who deny the realities of climate change and consistently vote against legislation for clean energy and conservation.  Prior to every election, this group identifies opponents of green initiatives through voting scorecards and targets them for defeat.  In the 2012 election, the LCV played a vital in the defeat of Mitt Romney.  Additionally, it was instrumental in the defeat of the following elected officials, dubbed the “Dirty Dozen“:

Hopefully, members of the green movement will remain vigilant of local, state and federal activities regarding green initiatives, making it a priority to contact representatives to voice support or opposition to any proposed legislation.  Of course, this will require research and fact-finding in order to understand the issues at hand.  This action, however, will serve notice to representatives of their responsibility and accountability to their constituents.

Finally, it is mandatory that supporters of green initiatives use the power of the dollar to get the change they want and need to protect the environment.  Consider supporting local farmers, who provide fresh fruits and vegetables that are healthier for you.  Check out local businesses who do contract with local artisans and who sell organic and/or fair trade products.  Avoid doing business with companies who incorporate business practices that pollute the environment, destroy the land or treat employees unfairly.

The pathway to a green life begins with small, but consistent and determined steps.  Try to do something each day to make your pathway greener.  Let’s live green, be green!

Source:

http://www.lcv.org/elections/dirty-dozen

http://www.truthandpolitics.org/congress-scorecards.php

 

The New Green Agenda Taking Shape

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Last night, during his victory speech, President Obama made note that in the coming years we must take notice and attempt to neutralize the threat posed by global warming. Of course, this raises the question of how this will be undertaken and how it will affect the economy. When we looked at this election cycle, we did not see climate change brought up as a campaign point, so to sketch out the next four years, we must look at the past four. With regards to climate change and the economy, we can see some key areas that Mr. Obama has at least focused on, if not attempting to enact policy, namely fuel efficiency, green energy and jobs, high-speed rail, and oil subsidies. Let’s take a quick look at each one of these and see how the President’s policy regarding them could affect the economy.
The Obama administration set new standards in fuel efficiency. These standards will increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and light duty trucks by the model year 2025. These standards are projected to save US consumers $1.7 trillion at the pump, while decreasing US oil consumption by 12 million barrels.  The adoption of these measures alone will cut down on one of the most painful costs for American families, allowing them to spend more on more beneficial sources of consumption. Furthermore, these standards increase incentives for hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as charging stations. These incentives could help to reduce costs, and as such, decrease barriers to entry into the market. Government assistance also could help propel the US into the coveted position of world leader in the electric vehicle market. The President has made a point to increase exports and promote electric vehicles, and this certainly could play into this.
Concerning green jobs, the President had in the past secured a tax credit for clean energy jobs, research, and production. Many manufacturers awaited the outcome of the elections with trepidation, as Gov. Romney stated multiple times he would end all subsidies to green energy. We will likely see the President push for a continuation, if not an expansion, of these tax credits over the next four years. Justification for these subsidies would be the infant industry theory, wherein the industry would likely not survive for the time being without the subsidies. Another green sector in the economy would be mass transportation. The Administration has laid plans for national high speed rail lines in the past. The stimulus included funds for the upgrading of creating “high speed railroads” as they are known in the rest of the world. The Administration will likely push for high speed rail for both economic and political reasons. Politically, the promise of jobs and a more centralized connection and access to major population centers could entice blue collar voters to go Democrat in rural and economically depressed counties.
Finally, the President has made a continuous push over the last year to end subsidies for oil and gas companies. While it was not discussed much in the election, the fiscal cliff is still on the horizon. It presents a perfect opportunity for the President to press for an end to oil subsidies. Simultaneously extending and or increasing green energy tax credits, while getting rid of oil subsidies, could give the green energy market more of an advantage and make costs of production and prices more competitive.
Regardless of what’s undertaken, transitioning one’s economy is a difficult task. Climate change is very much real, and it presents a very credible threat to our standard of living and economy. However, it also presents new opportunities for economic success. We can either go down with the sinking ship that is fossil fuels or we can jump ship and transition to a green economy. The US has been the hegemonic power for the past century because of its economic might, which has been driven by an innovative spirit and position as the most competitive player on the world stage in the most important industries. For the 21st century, that is green energy. I believe the Administration sees it this way, yet the realities of the world may replace restrictions on what can be done. The President has made climate change an issue.  now he must convince the people and Congress it really of the same.

Sources for this article are:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/08/28/obama-administration-finalizes-historic-545-mpg-fuel-efficiency-standard

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-06/green-jobs-depend-on-obama-win-as-fiscal-cliff-approaches.html

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/03/obamas-day-going-after-oil-subsidies/1#.UJp_BcX7J8E

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/29/politics/oil-subsidies/index.html

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2012/0821/Obama-plan-for-high-speed-rail-after-hitting-a-bump-chugs-forward-again

http://www.politico.com/morningtransportation/1112/morningtransportation9414.html?hp=l6_b7

By Sean McGuire

Forward for Green

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Now that the 2012 election is over, Monday morning quarterbacks are examining their play books to determined what did and did not work and where they stand on their key issues.  The same holds true for proponents of green initiatives.  The commitment and actions of green coalitions, scientists and ordinary committed citizens over the past few years have yielded remarkable results in the fight to give climate change and global warming the attention it requires.  While it is unfortunate that it took Hurricane Sandy’s catastrophic descent on major northeastern urban centers in this country to garner the call to action from political leaders, it still is important to recognize that the platform is here now.  With the visual record of Sandy’s attack fresh in our minds and the costs of the devastation still rising, it is mandatory that we use this window of opportunity to aggressively move forward to advance a green agenda to address the problem of climate change.

Today we celebrate the reelection of Barack Obama, who, in his victory speech, specifically addressed the need for a country “that isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet“.  Our agenda finally has made it to the national spotlight.  As concerned citizens, we must hold the President and other elected officials accountable for addressing this problem.  To do this, the green movement must rethink and regroup its strategies with the goal to establish a major voting block inclusive of all people committed to protect and preserve the earth.  We particularly need the energy of young people ages 18 to 30, who have a real stake in this movement because the condition of the planet directly affects their tomorrow.  With a strong lobby and voting block established, the green movement can secure the commitment of elected officials and candidates who have the option of effectively representing this voting block or face defeat.  This is our time to propel climate change to the position it deserves, upfront and center with health care, foreign policy and the economy.  This is a natural progression as this issue is fully woven into the pattern of all of every existing item on the national agenda and can no longer be ignored.

As we address the hard work ahead for the green movement, it is important that we celebrate the victories achieved in this election.

  • The persistent efforts and education by the League of Conservation Voters and other policy interest groups and watchdogs resulted in the defeat of three “Flat Earth Fivers”, namely Joe Walsh of Illinois, Ann Marie Buerkle of New York and Francisco Conseco of Texas.
  • Rhode Island voters approved a bond for $0 million to fund wastewater and drinking water projects.
  • The state of Maine approved several water, sewer, conservation and transportation bonds.
  • The city of Longmont, Colorado anti-fracking activists were successful in upholding a ban on hydraulic fracking and storage of fracking waste within city limits.
  • Seattle, Washington voters overwhelmingly approved a 30-year bond for $290 million to rebuild the Elliott Bay seawall.

There were a lot of lessons to be learned from this contentious election campaign.  Perhaps the most important is the admonition by former President Bill Clinton at the Democratic Convention that “we are all in this together’.  With this in mind, let’s use this new day to roll up our sleeves and work hard to live green, be green.

From Darkness to Light - please read

From Darkness to Light – (Photo credit: ecstaticist)

Make Tomorrow A Historical Day For Green Living

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Here we are at good news Monday.  This is a very important day because it is the eve of our opportunity as proponents of green living to celebrate and commit to a greener life by casting our votes for green initiatives.  This past week was historical for the green movement because with the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy and the Frankenstorm, we finally witnessed major political players in large cities and public policy makers acknowledge the reality of climate change and the need to seek real solutions to the problems of extreme weather conditions caused by global warming.

Now that we have a listening audience, it is time to take the steps to enact the needed changes.  Tomorrow we can make a difference at the polls.  To do this,it is mandatory that we get out and vote.  This message is particularly important for the younger set, ages 18 to 30.  While we have been deluged with so much information, some fact and some fiction, it is important that we peel back the layers on all the hype and examine the facts.  Realize first of all that the younger voters hold the power in this election, particularly in green matters.  Reject the positions that attempt to dichotomize voters into two major  groups, Democrats or Republicans.  Read the ballot and vote your conscience, not the straight ticket.  Do your homework and pay extra attention to local and/or third-party candidates on state and local ballots who are committed to green issues.  Try googling green ballot issues for your particular state to learn about these candidates, whose voices have been drowned out by the clamor over national issues.  Consider that change often works its way up faster than it does down because there usually is less bureaucratic gridlock on the local and state level, and local officials often are held more accountable by and accessible to their constituents.

It is important for each of us to realize the role we play in this election to advance green initiatives.  Scientific evidence consistently points to the need to reduce our carbon footprint.   Conservatives and many older Americans discredit or ignore these theories partly because research shows that reclamation of a healthy Earth is a long and arduous process.  It could take as many as 20 years to reduce the level of carbon dioxide (the most common greenhouse gas) to an acceptable limit of 350 parts per million (http://www.350.org/n/node/48).  Perhaps those over the age of 45 feel that this will not apply to them as they may even be here.  So just live for today.  However, for people 30 and under, this is your tomorrow.  Invest today with your vote for the dividends for yourself and your future family.  You do have the energy to this as evidenced by your being the market sector that has made Apple the company it is today.  Transfer that energy that empowered you to stand in line for hours to be one of the first one or two million people to get that new IPhone or IPad to be that savvy determined voter willing to stand in line tomorrow to vote for your candidates that will advance the green causes.

The older voters committed to the green movement also have a mission to accomplish tomorrow.  Speak up for your children at the ballot box.  Do your homework tonight and look carefully at the candidates, especially on the local and state ballots who are fighting to save our planet.  Champion the green movement, and your children will do so likewise.

As proponents of an environmentally healthy and safe world, let’s make tomorrow a historical day for the green movement.  Let’s vote to “be the change we want to see”.  As always, let’s live green, be green!

Food Labeling Controversy

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I think it is amazing that in the year 2012, there would be a contentious debate going on in this country regarding the rights of consumers to know whether or not their food contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs).  This controversy will appear on the ballot in the upcoming California general election.  If passed, it will require “labeling of foods sold to consumers made from plant or animals with genetic material changed in specific ways”.  It also would prohibit “marketing such foods, or other processed food, as ‘natural’.

Proponents of Prop 37 voice concerns that GMOs have been linked to allergies and other health problems, while opponents of the measure state that there is no scientific evidence that processed food with traces of GMOs pose a danger to humans.  The major issue posed by the opponents lies in the costs of regulation and verification, which would be the responsibility of the retailers and an undue burden to smaller stores and businesses.

The amazing part of this debate is that there is such a discussion going on questioning consumers’ rights to know what is in their food.  Also, I find it interesting that this is a big issue in America while 50 other countries in the world (which represents 40% of the world’s population) presently require GMO labeling.  These countries include all of Europe, Japan, India and China.  Also polls here show that 90% of Americans want to know if their food is genetically engineered.

In our present tumultuous political climate, we hear politicians at all levels making promises about what they will do for us and our country if elected.  Maybe we all should take a step back and question how these people want to help us in all these other areas but are willing to bend to big business and violate such a basic right as access to information regarding the contents of the food we eat.  We have the right to make informed decisions about our nutrition and it is up to us ensure this is the case and that our rights are not violated.  This is 2012, not the dark ages.  Access to facts on our food content is crucial to being able to live green, be green.

 

Green Talk in the Second Presidential Debate

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The green movement deserves a pat on the back today because we gained some traction in the second presidential debate.  Thanks to the efforts of many environmentalist organizations and conservationists, some of the concerns voiced by these groups were discussed.  This undoubtedly was made possible by the town hall-style of the debate with the questions posed by ordinary citizens.

It was refreshing to hear discussion on the government’s regulations on gas pricing, and it was important to learn that inasmuch as oil is a global commodity, with its prices set by a global energy market, any presidential administration has minimal impact on gas and oil prices.  Also, 65% of the cost of oil and gas is set by the market with the difference attributed to distribution, delivery and other local market concerns.  We do know that our economy is held hostage to oil price shocks over which we have no control.  The one solution to this problem is to reduce our dependence on oil.

Unfortunately, most of last night’s debate discussion on green concerns were limited to the oil and gas industry.  Once again, the subject of climate change was ignored.  Maura Cowley, executive director of the Energy Action Coalition, a group of youth-led environmentalist and social justice groups remarked, “[i]t’s preposterous that both candidates spent so much of the precious few minutes dedicated to energy policy tonight fighting over whose vague plan would fry the planet”.  Proponents of the green movement know that America must seek alternative energy solutions.  We no longer can rely on oil, gas and coal.  The future of our planet mandates clean energy, such as wind and solar power and biofuels.

Although the green initiatives did not get the full dialogue it deserved last night, at least the subject made it into the conversation.  It remains more important than ever that we, as citizens, incorporate green into our daily lives to save the planet.  To do this, let’s live green, be green.

Green Jobs Propel Economy Forward

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Despite the criticism of skeptics and conservative politicians, the green job movement is moving forward and progressing.  In fact, a report issued last week by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) states that the growth and benefits of green jobs are even stronger than previously expected.  After its analysis of employment data from the Brookings Institution and the Pew Center on the States, who undertook the task of categorizing green jobs on a detailed industry and occupational level, the EPI concludes the following:

  • Green industries are growing faster than the overall economy, at a rate of 2,5 times as fast as other jobs.
  • States with green jobs withstood the recession and fared better than those without green jobs.
  • Approximately 20% of all green jobs are in the manufacturing sector, which is great for the economy because roughly 5.5 million jobs in this area have been lost since 2000.
  • Green jobs offer pathways into the middle class.  These jobs tend to require less education but pay better wages.  This is good for people who cannot afford to go to college but still need good jobs that pay well, enabling them to support their families in a wholesome and healthy manner.

Now we need to adopt the appropriate governmental policies on all levels–local, state and federal–to support the positive movement in the green economy.  This includes investing in storm water infrastructure and supporting energy efficiency programs in cities and states.  We need long-term commitment to businesses involved in solar and wind energy.  Most importantly, we need a change in mindset.  Only through education and technology with demonstrated successes in improvement of air and water quality and reduction in adverse health conditions attributed to pollution will we reverse our dependence on coal and fossil fuels, which are so detrimental to our environment.

A green economy is a win-win situation for everyone.  We can keep moving forward by practicing healthy living, educating our families and communities on green initiatives and demanding that our elected officials support the green movement through public policy.  We know that these strategies are important ingredients in the recipe to live green, be green.

Green economy pays off

Dramatic Shift in Belief in Climate Change Noted

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A new study released by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication and George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication reveals that the majority of Americans now believe that global warming is affecting the weather and that it also is responsible for worsening extreme weather events.  Between the end of August through September of this year, more than 1000 people over the age of 18 participated in a survey regarding their beliefs about global warming.  The results then were weighted to give nationally representative numbers.  The findings of this survey represents a dramatic shift in Americans’ belief in climate change, even from March 2012.  Specifically, the following was noted:

  • A majority of Americans (73%) agreed that global warming had worsened the record-setting temperatures of this past summer.
  • A majority of Americans (64%) agreed that global warming affected the fast-moving band of thunderstorms (derecho) that traveled from Indiana to Virginia this past summer, causing widespread power outages and significant structural damage).
  • A majority of Americans agreed that global warming was responsible for the severe drought in the Midwest and Great Plains, last year’s unusually warm winter and the record forest fires in the western United States.

It appears that in the past, many people’s beliefs about climate change were tied to politics with conservatives debunking this phenomenon as a myth.  However, the severe weather events over the past year with its massive destruction of life and property have served as an eye opener of the reality of global warming and its ensuing problems to many Americans.  As Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication states on the subject of politics’ polarizing forces on climate change, “[i]t is the trend that I find in some ways most disturbing, because in the end, the climate system doesn’t care whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican.  It’s not like the floods are only going to hit Democrats or Republicans . . . conservatives or liberals. . . .  In the end, we all will suffer together and in the end, we’ll all have to solve this together.”  http://www.livescience.com/22069-polarization-climate-science.html

For the green movement and environmentalists and scientists, the acceptance of the existence of climate change and global warming by the majority of Americans represents a positive step in the direction to seek solutions to these problems.  Perhaps one day we all will live green, be green.

Global warming has become too personal and extreme
to ignore.

350.org Fights Climate Change from the Bottom Up

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This Monday’s good green news features 350.org.  This global organization, led by author and environmentalist, Bill McKibben, focuses on global grassroots efforts to raise awareness of climate change caused by human impact, to confront climate change denial and to cut emissions of carbon dioxide, all in an effort to slow global warming.  The group’s name derives from climate scientist, James Hansen‘s, assertion that any atmospheric concentration over 350 parts per million is unsafe.  Rather than being one organization, 350.org is a global network of over 200 organizations around the world.

A primary feature of 350.org is its 350 workshop.  This group has helped organize workshops in more than 20 countries.  The staff members assist climate change campaigns in the development of skill building activities that effectively articulate their points.  They focus on leadership, organization and communication as the key components necessary to build the political will to solve the climate crises.  They help local green groups to organize marches, to participate in non-violent demonstrations in the Middle East, and to lobby political leaders on matters relative to climate change and clean energy.  Their primary goal is to utilize a worldwide approach to create a huge wave of climate activism globally that cannot be ignored and will lead to lasting large-scale changes.

Each year 350.org identifies key campaigns of concern.  Its current projects include moving India beyond coal, ending fossil fuel subsidies and showing the human face of climate change.  350.org boasts a very user-friendly website loaded with information on its organization’s mission, projects and available workshops.  The website also provides access to membership, as well as an opportunity to donate to help this worthy cause finance its missions.  350.org leads by example in the movement to fight climate change and to save the planet.  This organization presents a great opportunity to live green, be green.

Grassroots networking to fight climate change