New Policy

So there is a new Climate and Energy Bill in the Senate. This bill is designed to limit climate-altering emissions, reduce oil imports and create millions of new energy-related jobs. However, does this bill go far enough? I would have to say no. The bill calls for reduction of greenhouse gasses by 17%, compared to levels in 2005, by 2020 and 83% by 2050. For many Americans, this is just not fast enough. On top of that, there are many parts of the bill that would allow, for example, "exemptions from emissions caps for heavy industry, [and] generous pollution permits for utilities for years." These measures were put in the bill to win industry support. Now it is obvious that the government cannot over-regulate to the point it puts these companies out of business, but it is ridiculous that these short cuts are needed to get anything through Congress. We should not have to compromise to get this bill passed. For instance, if we compromise on saving the environment, what will the world become? Scenery would only be so pretty, and water would only be so clean. We the people must support for climate and energy change now and imply reasonable measures to cut greenhouse gasses. Fixing the problem halfway does not solve it.