Category — US and A!

All over the world, governments are busy spending unprecedented amounts of stimulus money unifying economic and environmental interests, hoping to get their populations back to work by providing green jobs.  These jobs range from the theoretical end – providing more research money for those trying to improve renewable energy sources – to the labour/application end – installing solar panels, weather-fitting buildings and the like.  A huge concern, especially in the US, is ensuring that the benefits of this enviro-economic union are distributed equitably amongst all communities, classes and races.

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I was reminded again today of how much better off the world would be if Al Gore had won the 2000 Presidential election.  Yesterday’s Op-Ed piece in the New York Times, entitled “The Climate for Change”, was written by Gore, and outlines a sweeping vision for President-elect Obama to consider as he puts together plans for his future economic and energy policies.

Gore outlines a five-part plan to jump-start the US towards energy independence and back into a global leadership role.  The key points of the plan are:

1. immediate large-scale investment in large-scale solar, wind and geothermal energy projects in locations previously identified to be ideally suited for those technologies,
2. upgrading the existing electric grid infrastructure to a more modern, efficient and stable smart grid,
3. help for the automotive industry, including help for start-ups and smaller companies that are focusing on electric and hybrid vehicles,
4. a nationwide effort to refit buildings with better insulation and energy efficient appliances, lights and environmental systems, and
5. lead the way by imposing a price on carbon, with on eye on next year’s climate summit in Copenhagen and finding a realistic successor to the Kyoto Protocol.

These five steps are the same ones that environmental groups all over the US have been touting for years, so Mr. Gore isn’t saying anything new here.  However, I’m very happy to see it outlined so concisely in a major newspaper days after such an important election.  The world really needs the US to get on board with renewable energies in a big way, and as quickly as possible.

While I don’t doubt that Barack Obama would like to start moving the US in the direction suggested by Mr. Gore, he’s got a lot to deal with in the coming months, so I fear that these kinds of ambitious changes may not end up as a priority. Still, to have this kind of vision spelled out so clearly in such a prominent paper is heartening.  Public engagement in politics is likely to become far more widespread with Obama in power (since, you know, he plans to actually listen), so the more people that are exposed to these ideas, the better!

Americans go to the polls tomorrow to elect a new President, and I’m sure I’m not the only who feel it’s about effing time.  What really dumbfounds me is that there are still voters out there in the ‘undecided’ column.  This election has been getting nearly around-the-clock news coverage for months.  Anyone who still hasn’t heard all they need to know to make a decision is probably the type of person who has an anxiety attack when presented with a restaurant menu.

Bill Maher had a good point about this the other night, on the most recent episode of Realm Time: this has been the most exciting American election campaign in recent memory, so why the rush to get it over and done with?  I think most people would agree that it’s been very exciting indeed, but I have to point out that politicians are not here solely to entertain us.  They’re (ostensibly) here to get things done on our behalf.  While it’s perfectly alright for political junkies to get their jollies during the throes of an election campaign, that really should come secondary to the important work of politicians getting shit done.  I love all this talk about change, now let’s see some! 

At least, that’s what I’ve always thought.  When it comes to Americans, though, I have to admit I sometimes wonder.  They really seem to love spectacle for the sake of spectacle.  Just look at the rallies that have been going on over the closing weeks of the campaign.  Thousands of people, most of whom already know how they’re going to vote, show up to hear one candidate or another spew rhetoric (and sometimes bile) and drop the occasional hint about their policy plans.  The people at these rallies aren’t hearing anything new, at least they haven’t in the last few weeks.  While I have no doubt that these rally-goers believe in their respective candidates, it’s also clean that a lot of their wild euphoria comes down to basic tribalism.  This is MY candidate, and he’s going to wallop YOUR candidate! 

Rallies of this type don’t really happen in Canada.  The closest things that come to mind are political party conventions, and those are generally only attended by the most faithful, active, and important party members.  The crowd still cheers and waves banners, but it just doesn’t have the same atmosphere.  Maybe it’s just a matter of scale.

I hope tomorrow goes well for Barack Obama (and in case you hadn’t heard, it probably will).  While he won’t be the saviour some have made him out to be, he would undoubtedly be a transformative figure.  Bush has had the country borrowing from future generations for eight years; Obama will slow that trend, even if he can’t possibly turn it around comepletely.  Still, if he’s able to help bring unity and a sense of purpose to the electorate during his time in office, his biggest contribution could be a new attitude and understanding of America’s place in the world amongst the people.  This could be a larger boon to his successor than any direct results of his policies.  Getting the country out of the current hole they’ve dug themselves will take time.  Obama can’t fix the problem, but he can make a solid first step.