Environmental changes
This past Sunday most have probably seen the most ridiculous presidential debate between candidates in a while. There was countless bickering back and forth, and lots of blaming. All childish acts in order to get a vote. But, I don’t remember seeing or even hearing about the more pressing topics at hand, like the environment. Our current president does.
“On June 22, 2016, President Obama signed into law the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act which amends the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Nation’s primary chemicals management law. The new law, includes much needed improvements [to the environment] such as: Mandatory requirement for EPA to evaluate existing chemicals with clear and enforceable deadlines; New risk-based safety standard; Increased public transparency for chemical information; and Consistent source of funding for EPA to carry out the responsibilities under the new law.” 1
What this means is that President Obama actually carry out with helping his wife, Michelle Obama , who does pay a big toll into helping the environment, and try to make OUR earth healthier. This decision is only from the federal point of view. The state views are much more different.
For the states to assist in this decision making of how to help our planet it was said in nscl’s research on environmental changes that in:
“At least 18 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have laws in place to reduce light pollution. The majority of states that have enacted so-called “dark skies” legislation have done so to promote energy conservation, public safety, aesthetic interests and astronomical research capabilities. … Other laws require the use of low-glare or low-wattage lighting, to regulate the amount of time that certain lighting can be used, and the incorporation of Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) guidelines into state regulations. … The effect of beachfront lighting on avian and marine life is also a concern in many coastal states. In Florida, for example, a statewide model lighting ordinance (Fla. Stat. §161.163; Fla. Admin. Code §§62B.55.001 et seq.) guides local governments in developing policies to protect hatching sea turtles. Texas is the only state with a law in place specifically aimed at reducing light pollution around military installations. …” 2
To firmly stand our ground and assist as much as we could to the planet the states are stepping up and finally hearing out the people’s requests in what we should do to help. From the tiniest of flicks of a light switch to the largest of shutting down all of the lights of our very large and non environmentally friendly shopping malls lights. All of these would help a much as a grain of rice can help poverty. Believe it or not the naturists who are helping with the environment are the ones who really help the most. They are the ones protesting things and making sure the world knows that they are there for a reason. All of these ideas made by people are there to help, all we have to do is use our resources and help.
Even with reading over these regulations a least ten times I am still unable to simplify these into rational terms so I am leaving it as is in hopes that It will have good meaning.
“In 2006, California established an economy-wide cap-and-trade program through Assembly Bill 32 (AB32), “the California Global Warming Solutions Act,” that took effect in 2012 and is administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). AB32 requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The program has since expanded to be linked with Quebec’s cap-and-trade program and is in the process of linking with Ontario’s cap-and-trade program. California’s carbon market authorizes businesses to substitute offsets for up to eight percent of total allowable emissions. Authorized offsets include forestry, livestock, agriculture, ozone-depleting substances and other sectors of the economy that are not subject to emissions-capping regulations. Offset projects may be developed outside of California. One offset credit is equivalent to one metric ton of carbon dioxide and offsets are designed to be lower cost options than purchasing emissions credits. However, current offsets prices are close to the price of emissions allowances, weakening their economic incentive. Potential offsets can be verified by several independent registrars. AB32 also includes a Forest Buffer Account to provide insurance against removals or loss of forest due to unintentional and natural causes, such as wildfires. In addition to California, forest projects that sequester carbon dioxide are eligible for offset allowances in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Established in 2003, RGGI is the oldest mandatory, market-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction program in the country. Nine states currently participate in RGGI: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. RGGI member states developed a model rule, which was adopted via legislation or regulations in each state beginning in 2006. Allowable offsets in RGGI include energy efficiency, agricultural manure, landfill methane and sulfur hexafluoride management projects. RGGI is a multi-state approach to greenhouse gas emissions reductions that uses a shared tracking allowance system, facilitating cross-state recognition of emissions reductions efforts.RGGI recognizes reforestation, improved forest management and avoided conversion as eligible project types.” 3
For years our leaders, the ones we are supposed to look up to, our president’s have been concerned for the well being of our home. The people have gotten so out of hand with emitting all of our toxins that we are now realizing, now that we are a dying planet, that it needs our help and can’t be helped on it’s own. We the people are finally helping the government no matter how political it may be are standing up together as one state, and many (if it may apply), to come together and help our presidents do what they say they are going to do. Just like president Obama making the law that says we must stay responsible for doing what we have done and we are to fix it. I think it is time to help clean our planet, as it should have happened a long time ago.
