"Because of what we did on this day, at this defining moment, change is coming to America," Barack Obama promised in his victory speech after a landslide victory in his quest for the presidency.
Obama made brief reference in his speech to the dual challenges of environmental crisis and energy crisis, promising that these will be among his priorities as president.
"Even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century," said Obama.
"There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair," he continued.
Enviros quickly chimed in with praise for the president-elect.
Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder called the election a "historic mandate for clean energy."
"Energy policy has never been more prominent in a national election, and rarely have the results been so clear," said Blackwelder, whose group endorsed Obama. "Today's landslide election of Barack Obama and pro-environment candidates across the country signals a strong rejection of the failed energy policies of the last eight years and a historic mandate for large-scale, transformational change."
Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters, which also endorsed Obama, said, "America embraced change today, and the planet will be better for it."
A number of enviro-backed candidates claimed House, Senate, and governor's seats as well tonight -- check in at Grist's election central for coverage, and check back here in the morning for more green wrap-up on the 2008 elections.
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Comments
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amazingdrx Posted 3:45 pm
04 Nov 2008
That was the nature of this record breaking campaign. We knocked on the same doors two and three times in the last few days.
But guess what?
We are short a few senators. The hardcore lobbyist driven anti-healthcare, anti-renewable energy, pro-oil war faction can still block every legislative effort.
Until every democratic campaign is run like this Obama effort, reform will be nearly impossible. We have two years to get ready for our next chance.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
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vakibs Posted 4:50 pm
04 Nov 2008
Let's think in terms of eco-dollars.
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GRLCowan Posted 9:54 pm
04 Nov 2008
--- G.R.L. Cowan, H2 energy fan 'til ~1996
http://www.eagle.ca/~gcowan
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Erik Hoffner Posted 11:00 pm
04 Nov 2008
Erik
The Orion Grassroots Network: supporting grassroots groups working for conservation, justice, & more
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Backcut Posted 11:25 pm
04 Nov 2008
Drink up!
Scenic pics at http://Lhfotoware.blogspot.com
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Backcut Posted 12:24 am
05 Nov 2008
We'll see what Obama has under the hood, now.
Scenic pics at http://Lhfotoware.blogspot.com
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Delay And Deny Posted 2:38 am
05 Nov 2008
One Hydrogen acolyte looks forward to a hydrogen friendly Barack:
http://hydrogendiscoveries.wordpress.com/category/barack- ...
However, one reason I voted for Obama was because I strongly believe that he will surround himself with the right people and make the best decision once he knows the facts. Basically, I think he will take the time to learn more about alternative energy and then likely become a strong supporter of hydrogen, because it is clearly the best option.
Maybe the H stands for Barack "Hydrogen" Obama.
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F James Handley Posted 5:07 am
05 Nov 2008
To transform policy on climate and energy, we must use the most powerful market signal: Prices. The Stern Report on Global Warming put it bluntly, "failure to price carbon emissions represents the greatest market failure of history."
Will Obama have the guts and political support to start pricing carbon so we all have incentives to conserve and switch to renewable energy?
Our planet truly is in peril and we need the strongest and most effective medicine for the climate fever. "Tax Pollution, Pay People" urges NASA's lead climatge scientist, Dr James Hansen. He supports a carbon tax on coal, oil and gas producers with all revenue distributed individuals. That price signal could lead to real transformative change: energy conservation, development of renewables, and green jobs.
The work begins now. See http://www.carbontax.org.
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Green Granny Posted 8:56 am
05 Nov 2008
Energy, economy, environment -- all connected and all important. It's time to move forward. Let's do it!
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." -- Mahatma Ghandi
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OffGridNick Posted 9:24 pm
05 Nov 2008
I hope he makes it much easier for people to live off-grid because that is the way they really reduce their carbon footprint.
He needs to introduce a massive new public transport system
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amazingdrx Posted 11:38 pm
05 Nov 2008
Batteries to power an electric transportation alternative to oil. So I guess the movement sits back now? Hard to believe a cheerleader for the right is one of the few to mention plugin techology.
RFK jr the enemy of offshore wind power rumored to be head of EPA. This is feeling like old lobbyist driven democrats lining up for cash. Lets hope things will be different this time.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
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