Green Politics

What surprised you about the process of Environmental
Policy? Do you think that the U.S. Senate should have ratified the Kyoto Protocol?
Why or why not. Why do you think creating and implementing environmental policy
is so difficult locally, nationally, and internationally? Should communities and
local government do more on a local level to create environmental policy? What
environmental issues would you like to see addressed by policy makers?

Personally, I think that the United States is ridiculous for not moving forward with energy and environmental policies. We had the opportunity to join the Kyoto Protocol when it was first organized and the United States backed out and did not approve it. I think that this decision caused the overall Protocol to not be as successful as it could have been. Our decision negatively impacted the rest of the countries involved because we are one of the largest contributors to emissions. If we can't move forward and recognize our impacts on global warming and rising green house gas emissions, why should other countries work hard to make changes. 

This is a hard topic and often debated because there is little understanding over environmental issues and support in our government. Many policy makers are not educated on the these issues or are too stubborn to want to believe them. When combining these problems with the economic factors of environmental policy, policy makers are scared away. Committing and admitting to environmental policies and laws are touchy subjects because of their unknown potential and impacts. 

Therefore, it is important to educate our policy makers on issues relating to environmental policy and support. If they do not know that these are issues that citizens feel are important, they may not put as much attention or concern for them. I am concerned with our energy policies and the security of our natural resources. Of course, also the construction of the XL Pipeline, in which the US will not benefit from but instead support the increased emissions and transport of cheap quality oil.