Green Plans for President-Elect Obama
Last week representatives from 29 different environmental, science and conservation groups presented their top policy recommendations to President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team. The groups collaborated on a document laying out recommendations on key federal agencies and issues including land, air, water, oceans and public health, and calling for increased investment in clean, renewable energy as key helping create jobs and stabilizing the economy over the long-term.
Some of the hot button issues the groups addressed include climate (like Obama, they support the establishment of a federal cap-and-trade system which would provide economic incentives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and the restoration of scientific integrity at federal agencies (the Bush administration was notorious for putting ideology above science in making various environmental decisions). The groups also called for reinvesting in clean water, clean air and conservation for the sake of protecting human health.
"In November, Americans made their preference clear that the federal government has a critical role to play in unleashing homegrown, innovative energy solutions that would create new jobs, reduce global warming pollution and cut our nation’s dependence on oil," the groups said in a joint statement. "We welcome this opportunity to collaborate with the transition team, and to work with President-elect Obama to move America forward and re-engage with the international community to reverse eight years of environmental neglect."
The following groups participated in the meeting and worked on the joint document: American Rivers, Center For International Environmental Law, Clean Water Action, Defenders Of Wildlife, Earthjustice, Environment America, Environmental Defense Fund, Friends Of The Earth, Greenpeace, Izaak Walton League, League Of Conservation Voters, National Audubon Society,National Parks Conservation Association, National Tribal Environmental Council, National Wildlife Federation, Native American Rights Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Oceana, Ocean Conservancy, Pew Environment Group, Physicians For Social Responsibility, Population Connection, Population Action International, Rails-To-Trails Conservancy, Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, The Trust For Public Land, Union Of Concerned Scientists and World Wildlife Fund.
Source: NRDC