The future of humanity is looking pretty grim. Last nights “bi-partisan” spending bill announcement revealed some
unfortunate news for many liberal causes. These include some big bank deregulation, an attack on Obama’s immigration plans, enormous IRS budget cuts, and decreased nutrition standards for school children.
But probably the most depressing part of this bill is the continued assault on the environment in this country. The Environmental Protection Agencies budget, which has been slashed by 21 percent since the Republicans took hold of the House in 2010, will be cut by another $60 million this year. The bill also has a provision that prevents the EPA from regulating methane emissions from livestock production (manure), which accounts for around nine percent of the total emissions.
And this is only the beginning. With the Republican dominated congress coming to town, it will almost definitely get worse. Jim Inhofe, one of the nuttiest climate change deniers, will most likely become the chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. And this is how he feels about climate change and science:
It's...important to question whether global warming is even a problem for human existence. Thus far no one has seriously demonstrated any scientific proof that increased global temperatures would lead to the catastrophes predicted by alarmists. In fact, it appears that just the opposite is true: that increases in global temperatures may have a beneficial effect on how we live our lives.
The Senate’s soon-to-be most powerful voice on the environment thinks that climate change is a good thing! Though its not all that surprising, with his top campaign contributors being from oil and gas industries. Devon Energy, Murray Energy, Boeing, and General Dynamics can’t get enough of his raving beliefs.
It seems that the fight for environmental reform will only get tougher with these changes set to take place. People like the Koch Brothers are ready to spend more of their fortunes on climate change denial, and half of our country eats it up.
But at least our President is standing up for whats right. Obama’s executive action plan to reduce carbon pollution is a bold and necessary step, especially with the congress we have. Unfortunately, the plan seems to be somewhat dependent on political support in the next decade, which makes its long term effectiveness uncertain. The current political climate on the environment, even within the Democratic party, is shaky, at best. Though its certainly too soon to tell how successful Obama’s action will be in the longterm, the recent elections show that, as a country, we are still dangerously far off from saving our descendants from future misery.