Democratic Views On The Environment

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Democrats are dedicated to protecting the environment by reducing the effects of climate change, protecting America’s natural resources, and safeguarding the quality of our air, land, and water for current and future generations. Democratic views on the environment are focused around working to tackle our biggest environmental challenges by investing in clean energy and protecting our ecosystems to pave way for a sustainable America.

Here’s what Democrats and President Obama have done:

  • Under President Obama, the Department of Transportation and the EPA issued new fuel-economy standards. It was the first significant increases in fuel economy for light trucks and cars in decades.
  • There was significant increase of solar energy and tripled our electricity produced by wind power under President Obama.
  • With the directive of President Obama, the Environmental Protection Agency was mandated to curb carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. The president’s goal was to ensure America reduced carbon dioxide emission by 30% by 2030.
  • In the month of November 2014, President Obama announced a ground-breaking agreement with China to work together to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide in the next 15 years.  

Democrats understand that climate change is one greatest challenges faced by our great nation and they want to protect and build on the advancement made by President Obama. By tackling the issue of climate change with the urgency needed, it can make America a superpower in clean energy and create millions of well-paying jobs. Democrats plan to fight to protect the Paris Agreement to safeguard our planet for future generations.

While Republicans by no means seek to harm the environment, Democrats disagree fundamentally with their methodology. This makes progress by either side on this issue difficult.

Democrats on Wilderness and Watersheds

Democrats are determined to restore treasured landscapes such as the Florida Everglades, the Great Lakes, and other valued local wilderness areas. The Obama administration worked hand in hand with Gulf Coast states to reinstate the Gulf and also to hold BP and other responsible parties accountable for any spills or environmental risks in these areas.

Democrats are committed to working closely with the local communities to protect our publicly-owned lands and to preserve and restore forests, wetlands, and grasslands across America for the future generations. Democrats back initiatives to restore our watersheds, oceans and rivers. They plan on conserving our ecosystems and to open more lands and waters for recreation and hunting.

Democrats stand committed to conserving the lands used by anglers and hunters. The Obama administration promised to open millions of new acres of land to public for hunting and fishing. The government aimed at conserving and restoring the habitats where wildlife flourish.

Democrats are committed to a healthy environment and a healthy economy by endorsing new technologies that create good jobs and improve our world. A cleaner environment translates to a stronger economy. They hope to focus on clean energy to get the economy away from relying so heavily on oil.

Democrats on Energy

The Democrats believe America should be running entirely on clean energy by mid-century. The Democrats plan to achieve this goal by ensuring the U.S. generates half its electricity from renewable sources within ten years or less, fit half a billion solar panels in four years, transform the electricity grid, encourage steps to power the government with 100 percent clean electricity, boost energy efficiency in schools, offices, hospitals, and homes.

Republicans object to this, and want development of all forms of energy that are marketable in a free economy without subsidies, such as coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear power, and hydropower.

Democrats are committed to decreasing oil consumption by promoting cleaner fuels, electrification of vehicle to enhance fuel efficiency across sea, land and air. The Democrats also promote investments in public transportation, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure across our urban and suburban areas.

Democrats on Public Lands and the Environment

There are more than 600 million acres of public lands in the United States, which are home to a wide array of wildlife. Democrats are committed to helping expand local, national, and state recreational opportunities, rehabilitating existing parks, and improving America’s great outdoors while creating revenue by doubling the size of the outdoor economy. The Democratic Party also supports the Endangered Species Act, which safeguards endangered plants and animals.

On the contrary, the Republicans caution that the environment is too vital to be left to radical environmentalists. The GOP advocates devolving national public lands by giving states the agency to manage them. Republicans also support opening public lands to expanding fossil fuel extraction and logging interests.

Democrats on Climate Policy

Democrats view climate change as serious threat and a significant challenge of our time.   Democrats are committed to tackling the negative externalities of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane by taxing them. These taxes help pay for a transition to a clean energy economy. The Democrats continue to oppose building of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

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