Although the issues directly concerning the environment were not mentioned in the presidential campaign this year, the conservation community is confident that the environmental policy of re-elected President Obama will continue more strongly in the second term.
“We want our children to live in an America that isn”t burdened by de
bt, that isn”t weakened by inequality, that isn”t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet” were the President’s words during the victory speech he gave in Chicago last Tuesday night. Those words can give you a sense of what will be the most urgent actions to be taken in the near future.
Climate change is one of the – ironically – hottest topics right now as Americans in the East Coast continue to deal with the trail of destruction left by hurricane Sandy. “For many, Hurricane Sandy may prove to be a similar event: a time when the climate crisis – which is often sequestered to the far reaches of our everyday awareness became a reality” Al Gore wrote.
In this second term, Obama is expected to continue his drive to control greenhouse gas emissions through the Environmental Protection Agency, an institution that is also expected to move more aggressively on these pro-environment decisions. “Tougher restrictions are expected for companies drilling on federal lands, as well as more rules governing water management and methane emissions” Reuters reported two days ago.
However, the first big decision will take place early next year, when the time comes to decide about the Keystone XL pipeline, a project designed to expand production of the Alberta tar sands by pumping crude oil to Texas refineries. Environmentalists also expect the government to advance on renewable power.
Last Tuesday was not the first time President Obama mentioned climate change in his speech. And environmental fighters hope it won’t be the last.