How should Obama and the democrats deal with climate change in the next two years?

[XemaSab]

:shrug:

[Burma Jones]

1. Other

Prepare for the consequences............

[kristopher]

7. Republicans don't care about climate change but they will use it to try and push nuclear power.

Some good info here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4600647

Should that strategy succeed, it would be a significant blow to the effort to address climate change and energy security since nuclear is a very poor alternative to renewable energy in every respect.

[Skinner]

2. Unfortunately, I think the answer is something like:

We need to try to do what we can, but it'll be extremely difficult to get anything through Congress now that the Republicans control the house and have the votes to filibuster anything in the Senate.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

4. I prefer a "lead by example" ideal

I think we can show folks that being sustainable has personal value.

Hubby is a big conservative but he wants to start a garden for our own use. He's into composting and not creating a bunch of waste. He has some chickens because he likes fresh eggs better than factory eggs. Fuel efficiency appeals to his wallet.

To him it isn't just penny-wise but he thinks it's fun to, in his words, "work mah land and feed mah critters".

I know a lot of folks don't live in the rurals like we do but we're just one facet of the overall solution.

Pardon the green cliche but we need to find common ground and cultivate it. Maybe some folks will have different motives but the practical result will be the same and if we can stop screaming long enough over 1 subject perhaps there is room for dialogue in others.

:hi:

[XemaSab]

8. Hi Skinner

:hi:

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. Well, legislation is off the table for the next couple of years

So what to do in the meanwhile?

[TheKentuckian]

5. Keep pushing it and be honest about the bleak realities.

[joshcryer]

6. Without the House there is very little chance of progressive climate change or energy policy.

Sadly there's really nothing that can be done about this, as the House is solely responsible for bringing in revenue. It's possible, though highly improbable, that the Senate could drop subsidies for the fossil fuel industry, and give those subsidies to clean energy, but for that to happen would require a majority in the House. Again another dead end. We really are screwed for 2 years at the bare minimum.

[XemaSab]

9. I think it might be like a Chinese finger trap

where the harder we try to push any climate change solutions the less will get done overall.

Backing off for the next two years might be the way forward. :(

[Naturyl]

10. Meh, I dunno. I think the boat has sailed.

America has decided to try to keep pretending "there is a debate" indefinitely.

I don't know what we'll ever really do anything. Might just have to prepare for the consequences.

[Kaleva]

12. I agree.

We'd be better off preparing to adapt rather then deluding ourselves into thinking that the human race can unite in a great effort to reverse global climate change.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

11. Pretend that it has never been a Democratic Party value and America isn't a liberal country.

I learned today, on DU, that America isn't liberal or left leaning.