On October 21, 1996, Allan K. Fitzsimmons wrote the article "Federal Protection of Ecosystems - Train Wrecks In The Making".
In this article he explains the imprecise nature of an ecosystem and the incorrect notion that we can pick and choose where an ecosystem is natural. Fitzsimmons makes a great point in mentioning, "They take for granted that the government has the sagacity and depth of understanding needed to prescribe desired future conditions of each of hundreds or thousands of ecosystems throughout the nation in all their complexity as well as to manage all the human actions that transpire on the landscape in such a fashion as to achieve those conditions." Therefore we can predict an ecosystem only as well as we can predict a human or civilization's future behaviors. [1]
David Miliband the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, wrote October/November 2006 about his views of the environmental issues needed to be addressing in the EU. Miliband believes that if the EU becomes active with the "contribution to global emissions reductions" then other countries will follow like the US, China and India.
Miliband has four priorities for his environmental goals.
·Change the energy effectiveness of products and services, and to inspire the use of low carbon energy sources. ·Stabilize emissions, while help convert other countries to low carbon economies ·Make food growth and collecting a positive net contributor, farming creates 7 percent of greenhouse emissions. ·"Sustainability plank of the Lisbon reform agenda must be strengthened"[2]
Bush has proposed $211 million towards the cleansing of the Brownfeilds. Also Bush has put $450 million to wildlife and open spaces annually, and $4.9 million to repair damaged national parks. promotes tropical forest conservation act.
Bush lacks in mentioning clear water acts in is position papers. He lobbied agaisnt the Clean Air Act in hopes to weaken it. [3]
(Q and A)
Question directed towards Bush: "What specifically has your administration done to improve the condition of our nation's air and water supply?"
Answer from Bush: "Off-road diesel engines, we a reached an agreement to reduce pollution from off-road diesel engines by 90%. I've got a plan to increase the wetlands by 3 million. We've got an aggressive brownfield program to refurbish inner-city sore spots to useful pieces of property. I proposed to the Congress a Clear Skies Initiative to reduce sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury by 70%. I fought for a strong title in the farm bill for the conservation reserve program to set aside millions of acres of land for - to help improve wildlife and the habitat. We proposed and passed a healthy forest bill to protect old stands of trees and at the same time, make sure our forests aren't vulnerable to the forest fires that have destroyed acres after acres in the West. I proposed a hydrogen-generated automobile. We're spending a billion dollars to come up with the technologies to do that." [4]
The Democratic Party believes that Americans live with far too unhealthy air and water quality. Democrats assure that they will strengthen the laws that ensure clean air and clean water. "The Democratic Party believes that it is our responsibility to protect America's extraordinary natural resources. The health of our families and the strength of our economy depend on our stewardship of the environment," as written on there recent Environmental agenda. [5]
A decision was made by the Democratic Party, they chose between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. It is believed by the democrats that while creating new technologies to protect and restore our environment, we will create new jobs, in turn supporting the economy. Democrats are well aware that a logical energy policy is vital to a cleaner environment, solid economy, and our national security. Democrats have invested themselves into the next generation of "affordable energy" and to conservation that will reduce dependence on foreign oil, for 21st century. [6] Many democratic politicians for future campaigns and past campaigns have had strong Environmental policies, most recently Vice President and environmental activist, AL Gore, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his accomplishments as an environmentalist. [7]
Hilary Clinton has been scored 89% by LCV (The League of Conservation Voters) on environmental issues. Her policy of "reduced Air Pollution to Improve Children's Health" primarily states that ill air quality is directly linked to most respiratory conditions, predominantly Asthma. This observation is why the president within the year has announced changes in the smog and soot standards, "safeguarding" 35 million adolescences, from the harmful effects of breathing polluted air. No longer will children's health be overlooked in the changing of standards in air, water an food. [8]