In partnership with Adam Borut, Founder of Econhatchery.com, I hosted a Carbon Footprint Service Event last week for the residents of the 10th District to discuss the importance of knowing our carbon footprint and finding ways to reduce it.
Adam had a very clear message: "Burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, or CO2, which is the greenhouse gas primarily responsible for global warming. Our current path of development is not sustainable. Failure to act will leave nearly a billion people at risk from water and food shortages, droughts, flooding, forest fires, and severe storms. We can avoid the most catastrophic scenarios by making simple lifestyle changes and improving how we produce, consume and discard."
With global warming and environmental catastrophes, the footprint that we make on the environment is more important than ever. The United States must lead by example to reduce our footprint as a country and as individuals. These changes range from recycling and composting to proper installation and CFL light bulbs. Conservation is not just good environmental policy, it saves you money.
As a member of Congress, I will work to restore American commitment to responsible environmental stewardship. I will be a leader in environmental protection and sustainable development so that generations to come can enjoy a cleaner and healthier planet.
My top environmental priorities include:
• Reducing practices leading to global warming;
• Ending our addiction to foreign oil and fossil fuels;
• Investing in green technology;
• Protecting and restoring Lake Michigan; and
• Restoring clean water and air.
The threat to our environment is the overarching moral challenge of our time. We cannot escape its consequences, because unlike other policy areas, this issue is not partisan and shows no preference for any particular group. It’s literally the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land on which we grow our food. Progress on these issues requires courage and a commitment to the health and well-being of future generations.
Of course in one blog post I’m not able to discuss every aspect of my environmental policies so please visit my website for more information.