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Dr. Jill Stein, Green Party presidential candidate, criticized the White House today for effectively killing a legally binding global agreement at the UN Climate Change meeting in Durban. The meeting concludes on December 9th. Stein has called for a Green New Deal to create jobs while reducing climate change.
I condemn the White House’s inaction in the face of a global emergency. The U.S.’ and other rich countries’ inaction on climate change is not only inexcusable. U.S. and global emissions continue to rise, and national legislation to reduce emissions is nowhere in sight. Even when the Democrats controlled both the House and the Senate in 2009-10, efforts to pass even weak legislation to reduce emissions were completely unsuccessful due to the powerful influence of Big Oil and Big Coal on both of the establishment political parties.
The White House’s global position reflects the influence of the fossil fuel companies that continue to dominate the energy agenda of both the Democrats and the Republicans. President Obama has himself supported offshore drilling, including granting permits to exploit the pristine environment of the Arctic, expanding nuclear power, and promoting the unproven technique of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Read more »
Filed under: 3rd party, Action Alert!, activism, Election 2012, grassroots democracy, Green Party, presidential race | Tagged: climate change, durban | 1 Comment »
Green Party 2012 Presidential Candidates Forum: Dec. 3, 7:30 -10 pm, at Vermont Square United Methodist Church, 4410 South Budlong Avenue (corner of Vernon, east of Normandie),Los Angeles, Calif. 90037. To be livestreamed (