U.S. President Barack Obama won a resounding mandate to rule for another four years in the recent American elections.
In his acceptance speech on November 7 in Chicago, he hinted at the promise of change when he briefly raised the issue of climate change:
“We want our children to live in an America that isn’t burdened by debt, that isn’t weakened by inequality, that isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet.”
It was a fleeting mention but it sparked hope amongst environmentalists and those who care for our planet that the president of the most powerful nation on this Earth might work towards a cleaner energy policy.
Promises largely unfulfilled
The cynical might say it was just one more promise that will remain unfulfilled. In the run-up to the 2008 election, and during his first term as president, Obama did not completely ignore the environment, with some effort put into promoting renewable energy including solar and wind power, but he has largely been a disappointment to those who would like to see subsidies to fossil fuel industries removed and a major drive for cleaner and renewable energy.
Fossil fuel companies corrupt politics
Although it is claimed that “the president has taken unprecedented action to build the foundation for a clean energy economy, tackle the issue of climate change, and protect our environment” (a White House statement), his energy policy relies heavily on the use of fossil fuels and there is little to indicate he will disappoint the major oil, gas and coal companies who throw hundreds of millions of dollars into the political scrum to ensure politicians stick to their line.
On paper, the Obama administration can point to a raft of measures that they claim are helping protect the environment. Yet on the ground across America, the situation is dire. Ordinary people can point to assaults on the environment and a fall-out for people’s health, whether it is mountaintop mining for coal, fracking for gas, the laying of pipelines, the heavy backing for polluting agro-industry giants and genetically modified crops, and the continued logging of old-growth forests, to name just the most prominent dangers.
Boxed into a corner
To be fair, Obama is boxed into a corner politically. His most pressing problems are the country’s massive debt and the need to help create more jobs. Climate change and protecting the environment are low on his list of priorities, despite the “evidence” as seen in the fall-out from Hurricane Sandy, and his comments or promise made at the time that climate change needs to be dealt with.
Local and national ‘green’ actions
What is clear is that environmental groups across the United States are gearing up to bring change on a local level or on a national level. Whether it is Bill McKibben and 350.org touring the country with their “Do the Math” anti-fossil fuel message, Tar Sands Blockade attempting to block the Keystone XL pipeline or the innumerable anti-fracking actions, these people are not waiting for their government.
Obama heard the call for his continued leadership of the American people. Will he hear the call from the growing chorus of Americans who are calling for action now on the environment?
Join 350.org outside the White House on November 18 to fight against the Keystone XL pipeline. Sign up here.
