Environment
The overall philosophy is reasonable measures with scientifically verified results.
- Increase use of solar and other renewable fuels (e.g., gasohol or other vegetable based fuel); consider additional nuclear.
- Litter/water pollution - enforce laws, encourage volunteers.
- Eliminate E-check
- Focus on landfill, water supplies, ozone - reward system for reduced use
- Offer rewards for research
- We must view environmental issues on a global scale
- No sale of environmental credits allowed
- Electric lawnmowers
- Independent and non-partisan studies on global warming, ozone, rain forests and water supplies; protect scientists who may feel “chilled” from taking positions against the academic/scientific norm. Whether these are man-made or merely cyclical issues is largely irrelevant, the questions are: (i) is it dangerous in the near term, (ii) are there long-term, meaningful solutions (not just expensive theories). Let’s not panic (like we did with Y2K); rather let’s move towards reasonable, meaningful solutions, if we can establish the solutions really solve a problem. There’s no place for politics in science. Research, debate, differing theories, dialogue – all are good things, but when it comes time to impose restrictions, change economies, etc., we must be sure that the reward is greater than the cost. The solution is alternative fuel as soon as feasible– see Energy discussion above.
- Review wetlands regulations - refine definition of wetlands where current regulations result in illogical conclusions.
- Review recycling programs - cost/benefit analysis to determine ways to improve program
- Review issues surrounding forest/brush fires to make sure regulations are not causing the problem.
Goals: Clean air, water etc. with reasonable restrictions.
Reasons: The current issues have become politicized with no real effort on either side for practical solutions. We must find cost effective impartial solutions which produce tangible improvement/protection. We must protect /preserve water supply.
"The Nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value." -Theodore Roosevelt
"The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well meaning but without understanding." -Justice Louis Brandeis.