Congress is working on legislation to address global warming - what would you like to see included?

Question

Yahoo! Answers Staff note: Yahoo! Answers is a forum for people from all over the world to engage with one another and to find information on topics that interest them. This is not an endorsement. We are not siding with any candidate or party -- in general or for the 2008 US elections. We're hopeful that people from all perspectives will realize the great insights that the Answers community can have, and will turn to us for future discussions.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

When it comes to the issue of global climate change it seems that most of its opponents propose that to act with environmental responsibility would be detrimental to the economy - This perspective is flawed and in implementing legislation it is increasingly important that this fault is exposed not only to our representatives in government but to the American people.

Legislation constructed to address global climate change actually offers our great nation, not only an opportunity to regain our global prestige by leading the charge on such an important global issue, but by investing in environmental technologies this will also provide us a unique opportunity to control our own economic fate. For some time now our country's trade balances have pushed increasingly into the red, our debt has soared and our economy persists more because our citizens live on credit or off of their mortgages, and cycle vast quantities of borrowed money paying each other for services thus recycling the same dollars around in circles creating an illusionary economy. At the same time very few products are actually produced on American soil and what is produced in America is rarely competitive because the same product is frequently produced more cheaply elsewhere. The reason why it is important to see the American economy for what it is is because this is what allows us to see global climate change for what it offers. America needs to pass legislation that will enable us to become world leaders in environmental technologies such that we once again have a product that we can export to the world. For a start a massive effort has to be made to develop cheap mass produced hydrogen engines for automobiles within years, not decades. This would have immediate consequences for the American economy. The Detroit automotive factories could be re-outfitted to produce these vehicles and by being the world leaders in this technology America would quickly pass Japan as the leading exporter of automobiles thus capturing foreign currency and positive trade balances. Nationally many jobs would be created not only in these automotive factories but also in laying down the massive infrastructure that would be needed to fuel these new vehicles creating a mass influx of jobs nationwide. Now, hydrogen is not guaranteed to be clean unless the electricity producing it is clean. President Bush is keen on promoting Nuclear and Clean coal, but the key in legislating this energy development is not by promoting what can only be done in America, but instead should focus once again on what can be marketed to the world. Considerable investment capital should once again be poured out so that the solar, windmill and tidal generators can be revolutionized with America being the sole patent holders as this technology is exported throughout the Globe. Japan is already doing considerable amounts of research into low velocity windmills, and Canada has a leading Tidal research center at the Bay of Fundy. It is time for America to take the lead and develop state of the art high-speed windmills throughout the Midwest wind corridors, to surpass the Canadian studies in our own extreme tide bays of the North-Eastern United States, and to become the world leaders in solar energy technology across the Sunbelt of America from Florida to California. Unlike nuclear energy, which has a limited export value, these technologies could be widely distributed around the globe thereby further promoting a positive trade balance and a stronger American economy.

As these leaps in technology come to fruition, America should then pursue steep environmental policies on national and international levels. By this point America should be producing enough renewable energy that the national energy supply is nearly 100% clean and the automobiles are also running on zero carbon emission hydrogen engines. The industrial sector could be increasingly updated with hydrogen/clean electricity alternatives to reduce their emissions as well. With America doing so well we could use our example, our economic clout and our international influence to implement strict environmental policy on all countries around the globe. World Bank, IMF, APEC would all provide as strong organizations to implement such policies and if any country finds itself unable to afford the changes necessary it should be considered that the appropriate loans are given so that we are not only selling our technologies, and doing the engineering and consultancies to implement these projects, but are able to collect interest on the purchase as well.

In conclusion I would like to see an impressive and comprehensive plan passed through the legislative process in order to combat global climate change starting with an Iraq war equivalency in spending towards the development of the hydrogen engine and the corresponding infrastructure necessities right through to bold international programs that provide expertise and loans for the implementation of clean electricity programs tailor-made to each country's needs to achieve zero emissions in all their energy requirements.

Answer 2

بسمه تعالي
خانم نانسي پلوسي سلام عليكم
من يك فرد ايراني هستم. سوال بسيار زيبايي مطرح كرده ايد و جاي بسي تقدير و تشكر دارد. خود خوب مي دانيد كه مردم جهان به چه چيزهايي نياز دارند. جهانيان به آرامش و صلح و ثبات و اميد به زندگي نياز دارند. مردم دوست دارند در كنار عزيزانشان زندگي آرامي همراه با سلامتي ، رفاه و بهره مندي از نعمات خداوند داشته باشند بدون آنكه دلهره اشغال سرزمينشان توسط قدرتهاي بزرگ آرامش آنها را برهم زند و فرزندانشان را به كشتن دهد و خانه و كاشانه و شهر و كشورشان را بر سرشان خراب كنند . و شما خوب مي دانيد كه وظيفه شما دولتمردان است كه دنيايي بسازيد كه جهانيان در رفاه باشند و از تفكر قومي و ناسيوناليستي و قبيله اي بايد خارج شدو فراتر از اينها نگاه كرد. شما و همكاران محترمتان مسئوليتي بس سنگين داريد و خود خوب مي دانيد كه مي بايست در قبال رفتارتان چه خوب و چه بد بايد به زودي زود در پيشگاه خداوند متعال پاسخگو باشيد، لذا به مسئوليت جهاني خود با دقت بيشتري نگاه كنيد و در همه احوال رضاي خداوند بزرگ آفريننده يكتا را در نظر بگيريد شايد كه رحمتش شامل حال همه بندگان عاصي و گناهكار باشد.
انشالله
انگليسي من خوب نيست ولي چند جمله اي هم به انگليسي خدمتتان عرض مي كنم
--------------------------------------…

hello lady
thanks for your question. you know the best issue for the people of the world is a nice live with peace beside their family and make this condition is your duty and your colleague. the main request from the all people of the world that is please take permission to people to have a good live without war, without occupy their territory and without killing their family. please do to your responsibility.
thankful for your attention.

Answer 3

First, resign... You and your global warming alarmists aren't making much of an impact, mainly because the majority know you are full of IT...

Source(s):

Common sense...

Answer 4

Present research findings that negate the critics of Gore's statements and suppositions

Answer 5

I would like to see us get off the oil. We have the technology to move away from fossile fuels - let's start the weening process and build a legislative agenda that allows the oil companies a soft landing while converting to another form of technology for our transportation. Perhaps we could step into a plan with goals of 25% non oil/gas transportation by 2015 with a ladder progam all the way up to 100%. Bottom line, if the technology is mandated the markets will start buying them. Then, market economics will demand upgrades to products and manufacuturers will build what the market desires. Let's start being more responsible and make decisions that make sense for our future.

Thanks for asking - this is great way to find out what people want. Good luck.

Answer 6

Include discussions on
...healing the polar bear's natural habitat
...minimizing subsidies for crops that require long-distance transportation
...supporting local "green" agricultural projects
...whether ethynol is actually more harmful in the long run
...providing more money for EPA (and staffing it with competent scientists that care more about the Earth than political careers)

(Thanks for asking.)

Answer 7

I believe that we should begin rigorous research into a cleaner alternative fuel sources, preferably renewable or easy to get mass quantities of, and thus reduce our oil and gasoline consumption, and reduce carbon dioxide and monoxide emissions, the gases that are destroying our precious ozone.

Answer 8

It would be nice to see studies undertaken into the questionable relationships between oil and gasoline producing companies, the U.S. automotive industry, and the U.S. government. I feel that we citizens deserve answers to the questions concerning the conspiracy that my government simply won't allow cleaner means of energy to be introduced to our markets because their big-business constituents stand to lose money.

Answer 9

Dear Madam,

One of the biggest sources of pollution is the transportation from thousands of miles of cheap goods which however can be produced locally but at a little bigger price. I know that restricting imports of goods from overseas may look as protectionism, but why import apples from the other side of the world when there should be enough resources to produce them locally. Also, many countries subsidise their exports and those come with a ridiculous price which cannot be reached within an economy without subsidies. I think it should be fair to ban those kinds of imports all together, not only putting taxes on them however big they might be. U.S. has the so called "Most favoured nation" treaties with many nations of the world. While these treaties may bring certain benefits, for the sake of tackling the most major problem of our time, these treaties should be limited to countries which are geographically close to the US.
Another way to reduce pollution is to reduce the fuel consumption of cars. One way is by using cars with hybrid engines. However, modern diesel engine can reach the same or better mileage as now the famous Toyota Prius, without the emission of noxes of older diesel engines. I live in Europe, and here, most of the cars with diesel engines have particulate filters which allow cleaning of up to 99% of exhaust noxes. With some cars, in crowded city areas, the air which gets out from the tailpipe is cleaner than the air that enters the engine. I think the U.S. should also encourage the use of modern diesel engines on cars.

With outmost respect,
Liviu Filip.

Answer 10

i would add nothing as Global Warming in entirely a natural event having happened many time in the history of earth and will continue to do. Man can not have had any thing to do with it. The warming of Mars is ample proof that the sun is causing the earth to warm also. and unless you can find a way to control the sun you can do nothing to change to fact of global warming.

Source(s):

checking the facts

Answer 11

Do you not realize that the Earth is a living breathing dynamic planet? You liberals base your sciences on only about 100 years of recorded weather data, and twist it to suit your needs. The Earth has changed its' climate several times over billions of years, but you waste my tax dollars claiming global warming is real. Global warming is nothing more than "Chicken Little" science claiming that the sky is falling.

Instead of worrying about global warming, what if you politicians concentrated on the real issues that many Americans are truly facing. Issues such as high gas and food prices, rising energy costs as well as out of control medical prices.

The rising cost of living in this country has many of us working class Americans struggling to survive from day to day, but it seems that our government doesn't seem to be concerned about a real issue such as this.

John F. Kennedy once said ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. Maybe our current politicians should ask themselves what they can do for their country, and turn this once great nation around again and set us back on the right track.

Answer 12

Among many things...since the future issue will be water shortage, the government should limit the explosion of golf courses that exist where water is wasted watering the lawns. Specially, in places like Vegas where golf courses shold not have been built.

Answer 13

I would like to see gasoline prices decrease by taking the money out of the gas company hands and putting it back into the people's. I want to see stiffer punishments for company's that break air quality standards. I want production of beef to come back to the American people instead of going to other countries, which in turn destroys the rainforests.

Answer 14

Maybe we should look at hard scientific data instead of building on half truths and for political gain. Are we smarter than Mother Nature and world weather cycles,and can we learn from documented history. We seem to be in such a hurry to solve all the problems in the world but forget the past.

Answer 15

Congress shouldn't waste time on such nonsense. I'd like the legislation to include an end to discussion of global warming in Congress.

Answer 16

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LIBERALS PUT ON A DESERT ISLAND OR A LEPER COLONY AND ABANDONED THERE FOR ALL ETERNITY....GLOBAL WARMING IS A JOKE, AL GORE IS A FRAUD AND I WISH CONGRESS WOULD JUST SHUT THE F$%\@ UP....AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS THAT ARE HOMELESS AND STARVING.....

Answer 17

30 mpg and above requirements for all new vehicles
by 5 years. More tax incentives for alternate fuel vehicles.
Tax incentives for ethanol farmers. Use a variety of crops other than corn for ethanol. Fund hydrogen fuel research. Tax benefits for homeowners with solar power, windmills or stream driven turbine power. Tax incentives for buying the vehicles with the highest mpg. Tax breaks for companies who design more fuel efficient cars and planes so they can better transition.

Source(s):

Just suggestions I thought of

Answer 18

I would like to see congress and senate to pass a bill for them to stay in office for no more then 2 terms, that's congress and the senate. And start passing bill's that helps Americana's to have a better life. And you Nancy is a disgrace to the young American men and woman in the arm force's, you don't have a clue how to run this country. Your party is in office and how come gas keeps going up another lie you told the Americans. This congress and senate is going down as the worst in America history, Please resign, and let some else take over.......pissed off American...

Source(s):

Americans who are tired of are goverment

Answer 19

Getting other countries to agree to reduce global warming , that is the first step .

Answer 20

I would like to see a nation-wide gasoline tax increase. I believe that would promote better gas-saving habits from citizens. It would be great to see the government funnel more money towards researching and developing alternative energy sources. Goverments, local, state, and federal, should be leading the country as an example in energy conservation.

Answer 21

political will and determination

Answer 22

congress should mandate a higher CAFE for cars sold in the USA

Answer 23

Nancy, I think we need to see less toadying up to the Administration. It is clear that they are weakened but this perpetually weak kneed so called resistance to their misguided proposals is an embarrassment to the Democratic party. Please just stand up to these people and stop knuckling under to this administration and the corporations that own it. Thanks, Andy.

Answer 24

There has been for eons fluctuations in temperature on planet earth. Stop your political BS and solve a more pressing issue, immigration! The bill being debated now is a thinly disguised amnesty bill. We, the American people,DO NOT want an amnesty bill. We, the American people, did not elect Democrats because they were the best choice. We shuffled the Congress so that you inept politicians would see that we are serious! If you folks don't get it together we will vote you guys out in 2008. That you can bet on. No amnesty! Secure our borders! Enforce our laws!! The quotas we allow into our country is more than adequate as far as immigration is concerned. Represent us, the American public who VOTED rather than special interest groups that support immigration and for the most part are not voters. America is for Americans first!!

Answer 25

Is the earth still flat? Seems to me the planet has existed quite well without human interference. In fact the notion that we can somehow affect the planet on a macro level is totally absurd. This must be the new religion for left wing wacko's. Your zeal to establish an arguement for more taxes is based on the fallacy of global warming. Have you ever noticed what happens when a building or road is abandoned. Nature quietly takes over and before long any sign of human activity is long gone. Protecting the environment doesn't have to strangle us with legislation. Just use common sense.
On a more serious side if you want to do something which benefits all humanity, get us out of Iraq.

Answer 26

I would like to see a life sentence for convicted child molesters so they can't prey on a second child and ruin our our countries children and future.It is a proven fact here in Illinois child molesters get less time than almost any other conviction.Crimes against children are unspeakable!!!!

Source(s):

I have been in the prison system and have seen this first hand.

Answer 27

Global Warming is an Alarmist Hoax!!
Spend your time on more important matters.
And, please listen to the American people and be less concerned about saving your almighty position in Washington, DC.

Answer 28

Forget global warming, what about the immigration issue? No amnesty!

Answer 29

I don't like that "carbon credits" can be purchased to help "even out" one's consumption of resources. This kind of system will just make rich people and corporations "buy" their way out of accountability for the problem. Since we all suffer from the results of our planet's climate crisis equally, everyone should also be equally accountable instead of creating a different set of standards for the upper classes.

Answer 30

To stop the lie of global warming. Thank you.

Answer 31

global warming is a complete farce. they can't predict the weather 3 days out yet we are supposed to believe they figured out global weather. the only constant in the universe is change. now congress is going to legislate the weather. does anyone remember when they said we were heading for the next ice age? al gore is making $ off books and movies that feed this histeria. congress needs to stick to serving the american peoples interest. like enforcing our laws to deal with illegal immigrants who have invaded this country by the millions and will contiue to do so untill we stop the anarchy.