Last week I unveiled the “Progressive American Agenda” that will make raising the minimum wage, providing tuition-free college, Social Security expansion, single-payer health care, women's rights, workers rights, all a top priority. A few individuals asked me “where is Climate Change action on that list?” and it was a valid question. It was an intentional omission, as I believed it should be added to a separate piece that explains the crisis we are facing. The issue of climate change deserves more than a two-second blip in an agenda list, because, without action, all of those measures will mean nothing if we don’t take on the urgent issue of Climate Change, Global Warming, The Earth is On Fire, whatever we want to call it. It’s an issue that needs our urgent attention.
We have heard from the scientific community, and the verdict is in; Global Warming is real, as over 98% of scientists agree. Our own Defense Department has weighed in on this issue and has declared it a top national security priority that needs our urgent attention. And due to our inaction thus far, will require further and deeper action into the future to protect our national interests.
Farmers across the country have seen Climate Change in action, as they’ve seen their crops dry up and have their way of life threatened and in some cases, destroyed. In California, they have felt the devastating effects of Global Warming over the past decade, with an unprecedented drought that has all but wiped out any excess water supplies and threatens the existing water supply going forward.
Right here in Nevada, we have witnessed Lake Mead, our primary water source, evaporate before our eyes as the water levels continually dip to new record lows each year. In Las Vegas, we are experiencing weather that is sometimes 15*F degrees above normal temperatures for this time of year and shows no signs of subsiding as we move toward summer. These increases in temperature will further strain an already old and in need of repair electrical grid, costing us both energy and money.
All across the country, we have witnessed natural disasters become fiercer and more devastating not only in the property damage that they cause but also in an increase in the loss of lives from these disasters. The hurricanes that hit our shores, the tornadoes that rip across our heartland, snow storms that routinely bury American cities and earthquakes that rip apart our land are becoming stronger, and the consensus reason behind this is Global Warming. It’s not a theory; it’s a fact. We need to start treating it that way.
There are few issues on earth that we can get a 98% consensus among the scientific community and agreement from the National Security/Military community on the threat that we face. Unfortunately, we have an oil and gas lobby along with their bought and paid for politicians in Washington standing in the way of progress and action on this issue. Their reason is simple; the business of killing the environment for profit is good business. We must end that greed, recklessness and ignorance right now. How? By voting these corrupt politicians out of office. However, that topic is for another time as we are here to talk about the solutions and actions that we can take to combat Global Warming.
Here is my 4 step proposal to tackle the issue of Climate Change. Certainly more steps will be needed going forward, but these four initial steps will make a dent in solving the issue of Climate Change and set the stage for further action.
1. The first step in combating Global Warming must be to end our addiction to oil, both foreign and domestic. We have been talking about it for 50 years but have taken few concrete actions to make it a reality. To do this, we must invest more money in clean and renewable sources of energy. This means investing in wind technology that clearly works and is sustainable but is in need of more investment. Right here in Nevada, we could produce over 69% of our energy needs by investing in wind technology. Doing so, would also create thousands of well-paying jobs that can never be outsourced.
Solar energy is also a great clean and renewable energy source that is becoming more affordable each year. If our nation invests more in this technology, we could have all new homes that are built, come with solar panels already installed on the rooftops, in the not too distant future. One of the obstacles standing in our way of this future is the private energy utility companies, lead by Warren Buffett who owns NVEnergy here in Nevada, who are determined to take away the benefits of net metering for solar panel powered homes. We must fight back against this greed and fight for our green energy future. Solar technology works and has been working here in Southern Nevada for years. The solar power industry has led to an increase in small business solar companies that have created thousands of well-paying jobs right here in Las Vegas and across the nation. Solar panels have also led to less wear on our aging power grid as well as more efficient energy use.
Incentives for the Clean, Renewable energy industry
- Bigger tax incentives to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. We need to balance our energy portfolio in this country so that it matches our 21st century needs.
- Eliminate all tax subsidies for oil and gas corporations.
- Implement President Obama’s idea for a ‘Green Bank’ that would fund and invest in renewable energy companies and clean energy infrastructure projects that will keep our infrastructure modern and up to date so that it can supply our energy needs.
2. We need to regulate further and reduce our emissions in this country, from both our cars and power plants. This step is one of the most important steps that we can take to keep our skies clear and keep our water supply safe. While we have made great progress in raising our fuel standards for vehicles, we need to do more. The 54.6 mpg vehicle standard that must be met by 2026 is a great step but must be only a first step. This standard will not only decrease pollution but also go a long way toward fulfilling our goal of ending our oil addiction, as it will save consumers upwards of $1.7 trillion in fuel as well as cut our oil imports. Now, imagine if we get that mpg standard up to 70mpg by 2030, as should be the goal, and we could end our addiction to foreign oil, once and for all. Also, further incentives and investment need to be made into electric cars that make this technology more affordable to the average American so that these types of vehicles are more common in households
Power plants are one of the greatest causes of pollution in this country, as they account for nearly 40% of pollution. We can reduce these emissions by allowing the EPA to fulfill their duties and use the power that was given to them by the Clean Air Act to regulate emissions from power plants. When we regulate power plants to reduce their pollutants, it provides many great benefits to our country in the forms of cleaner air, cleaner water, and longer life expectancy through better health as well as a more robust economy. To further incentivize power plants in their transition to cleaner output, we need to implement a carbon regulation system that encourages investment in cleaner technology and renewable sources of energy, that will allow for power plant operators to offset their carbon emissions with these investments. Many economists and environmental organizations agree that with this type of carbon regulation system that incentivizes investment would expedite our move to a cleaner and greener energy future.
3. Another step we can take to combat Climate Change is to reinvest in our infrastructure as well as reinvesting in public transportation. By reducing the number of vehicles on the road, we can take great steps in reducing not only our dependence on fossil-based fuels but also cut down on our overall emissions. To do this, we need to invest in our public transportation systems in major American cities. An increase of $1.5 billion per year in public transportation funding could double the rate of riders, according to the Department of Transportation. Fewer cars on the road is a goal we need to share to combat the threat of Climate Change, and public transportation is a way to achieve that goal.
Reinvesting in our infrastructure is long overdue. The first step in our infrastructure plan that would immediately benefit our fight against Climate Change is to invest in a smart electric grid. A smart electrical grid would deliver our energy needs in a more efficient manner that would also be able to integrate renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. Having a system that can allocate energy in a more efficient and cleaner way, would be a great start in managing our energy needs.
4. We need to eliminate the use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in our nation. The use of “fracking” is dangerous to our ecosystem and overall environment. We know that fracking pollutes soil and water as well as causes earthquakes where it’s practiced (see: Oklahoma). Until we find a safer and environmentally friendly way of extracting natural gas, the costs outweigh the benefits.
As a nation, we can no longer ignore the issue of Climate Change and kick the can down the road for another generation to deal with. Scientists all agree that without our immediate action on Climate Change, the next generation will have no choice but to deal with the consequences of our inactions. These consequences will be devastating as it will lead to increased temperatures, loss of habitat, mass extinction, rising ocean levels and more severe natural disasters. I don’t want that for our children and grandchildren, and I know you don’t either.
When you send me to Congress, I will work tirelessly on the issue of combating Climate Change, as there is not an issue that is more important than saving our planet for future generations.
Thank You,
Alex Singer
SingerforCongress.com
Twitter @AlexCSinger16
Facebook.com/AlexSingerforCongress
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