This Wednesday is Earth Day, another of those somewhat strange days that highlight issues which should be top-of-mind every day. But this Earth Day will be different because this time we have a truly environmentally-minded president.
In less than three months Obama has designated millions of acres for wilderness protection, passed legislation authorizing tens of billions for renewable energy projects, directed the EPA to classify greenhouse gases as a threat to human health, stalled leases on oil and gas drilling around sensitive habitats, and put forth the most ambitious and comprehensive climate change legislation in the world.
Perhaps most important, Obama is continually reinforcing the link between solving our environmental problems and laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth; in addition, he’s making the connection between environmental progress and national security.
In these ways and more, the president is seeking to end decades of inertia during which the debate was framed as one between jobs and the environment, and those in the environmental movement were branded as hippies and tree huggers. His appointment of Van Jones as an advisor on green jobs was an especially excellent choice; Jones has been extremely successful at making the link between environmental progress and urban issues, thereby broadening the scope of the environmental movement.
It’s hard to keep the public focused on environmental issues. The failing economy remains the No. 1 priority, gas prices are back down to reasonable levels, and the environment just isn’t a top priority. While much progress has been made in educating the public about the growing climate emergency, the issue is still not very salient for most Americans.
Obama deserves tremendous credit for all that he’s doing to keep the environment front and center. Let’s hope he continues to do so, and gets critical Democratic support for his agenda.
Jason Scorse