No time to blog. I have been taken by the energy of the Democratic Convention, and spent all my evenings glued to the TV. Nervously praying for no missteps. La Marguerite is an environment blog, not a place to share my political views. This time is different, however. I feel the big environmental challenges facing us are political issues. One only need to take a look at the past eight years, to be convinced. Eight years, during which we, the citizens of this great country, have been consistently ‘dis-inspired’, demoralized, and demobilized on so many fronts. Eight years, during which other countries looked up to us for leadership on climate change, and found nothing instead. Eight years of systematic obstruction to hundreds of good environmental proposals. Eight years of special fuel interests pulling the strings behind the scenes and imposing their wishes. Eight years, during which CO2 levels have risen steadily, past the 350 danger zone. Eight years of muffling the voices of climate scientists. Eight long years, that have dwarfed my efforts, and others’ efforts to try to heal nature.
I am ready for a change. Are you?
Right on!
Albeit I am French and in France, I followed a bit what occurred in Denver. It seems promising and I believe a lot of change may occur soon in the US.
I just finished reading the speech given by Al Gore. He was as inspired and inspiring as ever :
http://blog.algore.com/2008/08/my_remarks_at_the_democratic_n.html
Thanks Simon, thanks Edouard.
How about McCain’s VP pick this morning?
I just left a comment on Huff Po, copying Grist’s environmental recap on the woman:
• Opposed a statewide ballot initiative to prohibit or restrict new mining operations that could affect salmon in the state’s streams and rivers
• Has pushed to build a natural-gas pipeline from Alaska’s North Slope
• Got the state legislature to pass a bill to provide each Alaskan $1,200 to help with energy costs
• Sued the Interior Department over its decision to list the polar bear as a threatened species
• Has proposed eliminating Alaska’s gas tax
• Has pushed to open Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling
• Was the ethics commissioner of the Alaska Gas and Oil Conservation Commission from 2003 to 2004
We should be very concerned.
Hi my new eco-friend,
In the UK, we’re not hearing too much about the environmental nitty gritty of what you’ve got going on – our airwaves are being taken up by the fact that Mr Obama looks to be taking centre stage in preparation for moving into the White House (I thought you guys had an election first? lolol?)…
I know it’s almost impossible to divorce ourselves from politics, but I believe whoever is in power in either of our countries, the only people that can effect ‘real’ change is US! We folks at home!
We are the ones who can encourage our neighbours and bring about expedient community change on a local and national scale – power to the people I say!
Rock on Marguerite – really glad I’ve found your work.
Tracey Smith
Author of ‘The Book Of Rubbish Ideas’
Tracey, keep on with your ‘rubbish’ ideas. We need them lots of them, and a new great leader, and new technologies, and more effective communications on all these issues. All this of course, powered by the people.
[…] 8, 2008 by lamarguerite A few weeks ago, when I wrote The Environment Is Politics, I really meant it. My thoughts have been a lot on Sarah Palin, and how to best expose who she is, […]