Posted by
Leonard Nolt on Thursday, June 05, 2008 12:00:00 AM
Conservative opposition to Senate Bill S 3036 is inappropriate and also evidence of a lack of concern for the health and safety of future generations of citizens on the Earth. Conservatives have lambasted the bill by claiming it would increase energy costs and create new expensive government bureaucracy. What the bill would do is decrease total US emissions by 18-25% by 2020 and an additional 62-66% by 2050. This is actually a conservative goal. In order to properly respond to the problems caused by pollutants, especially air pollutants, the reductions should be greater and sooner. However, the bill is a step in the right direction. Of course most of the opposition to S 3036 comes from the industries responsible for the pollutants. Although the vast majority of scientists accept the threat of global warming, many conservatives are still saying that it's a hoax. It doesn't matter which side is right. The emissions responsible for global warming, (if that is, in fact occurring) are pollutants, and as pollutants they represent a threat to the health and safety of people on the earth. Responsible citizens, governments, and industries will be trying to reduce those emissions as rapidly as possible. They will be doing it to make the planet a healthier and safer place for their children and grandchildren. It's a part of responsible parenting and responsible citizenship.