Romney's stance on energy is much like a business man. Create jobs. Tax the earth. Romney would create a lot of jobs through the non-renewable energy sector. He emphasizes the creation of an oil pipe through Canada. This would give the U.S. the much needed energy to stop importing oil. Romney's plan would make America very close to energy independence. However it would kill our mother earth. Additionally, Romney's plan would only last a hundred years at most because natural gas and oil does not last forever.
Obama's plan would creates more jobs, but becoming energy independent would take awhile. America would create less carbon emissions, but is energy independence really important? Jobs would come out almost as much, so that is not an issue. Even though Obama's plan does not get America energy independent instantaneously, he does have a good track record. Comparing to four years ago, the amount of oil imported has dropped as noted by the EIA. EIA US Imports on Oil
The two plans generally boil down to is energy independence important now, or save the Earth and spend some time before truly becoming energy independent. Is energy independence really important? Or can we spend some time to save our Earth?
6 comments:
I think that we should follow Obama's plan to create more green energy now, even if it delays energy independence. Part of the reasoning behind this is that the Earth is a huge gift that we are passing down to future generations and green energy keeps this world intact. The increased globalization of our modern world also makes me hesitate about instantaneous energy independence. I think that the world is already becoming so interconnected that what we really need is not energy independence but global team work to fight climate change; this may be hopeful idealism, so overall I would focus on saving our planet.
I think that the idea of green energy is an important one to capitalize on. Although it may not reap benefits as quickly as another approach, I think we need to stop, think, and really make an effort to ensure a safe future for Americans.
Yes. Jobs come and go, the atmosphere is forever. Destroying coal jobs and creating gas jobs is a step in the right direction and that's just too bad for the good people of West Virginia. Prices are red herrings, because oil is a global commodity with global supply and demand. If we had instituted higher gasoline taxes years ago, our entire engine fleet would be more efficient and we could absorb the inevitable global price shocks easier. Prices have stabilized somewhat because of lower growth worldwide and Iraqi production coming back online. But really, we have to get off fossil fuels and North America being the Saudi Arabia of gas is a mixed blessing, and China having 200 years worth of coal a potential catastrophe. Our entire political system has failed to so much as mention the climate this election season. Pathetic.
Having taken APES, I am more than well aware on the adverse effects of not achieving high levels of green energy production in the near future. While Romney's plan would save many jobs in coal mining and oil industries, the jobs are short term and therefore too near sighted. The fact of the matter is that such high levels of coal and oil burning have costs in the form of human health and environmental impact. Energy independence is not the only factor, but what KIND of energy we use is equally important. Obama's move towards green energy is an important step concerning America's energy future because the reality is that fossil fuels really will not last that long. As fossil fuels grow rarer, prices will go up. However renewable energy is here to stay.
While Obama's plan may delay energy independence, I too feel it is imperative to our future growth as a nation. The earth only has so many resources, and those very resources are quickly being used up. Like Kathryn and Carly pointed out, a clean planet for our future could be very beneficial in the long run.
Bruce also mentioned that both plans would create about the same amount of jobs. I feel it is very important to remember that if we invest in clean, renewable energy under Obama's plan, jobs are not only created today but they can continue to build and grow in the future. Such a plan would allow constant scientific research to take place in energy. It would also continually employ high-skilled workers in the long term and utilize their innovative plans on how to keep up with a world that is rapidly changing in terms of the environment and climate.
On one last side note, coal is never clean. The Romney campaign has mentioned clean coal as an alternative form of energy numerous times and we must keep in mind that green energy and alternative energy are not always the same.
Green energy is key to the environment so I would think Obama's plan would definitely put America on the right track toward clean and independent energy. We can spend the time to this, not only because we need to, but because we can afford the time. Americans have absorbed the high gas prices over the years and can continue to for the time until green energy becomes widespread enough. If we take the time now to develop clean energy, then it will be better for everyone.
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