http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm The Association of Young Americans Policy Issue of the day. en-us Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:34:46 -0400 Tue, 19 May 2009 08:16:00 -0400 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss young_americans@hotmail.com young_americans@hotmail.com http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/5/19/New-Auto-Emission-Standards As gas prices inch up, President Obama proposed tougher emission and fuel economy standards. "The Obama administration plans to order auto makers to increase the fuel economy of automobiles sold in the U.S. to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, four years faster than current federal law requires," reports the Wall Street Journal. "A senior administration official said late Monday that the regulations would save 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 900 million metric tons over the lifetime of the more efficient vehicles, equivalent to taking 177 million cars off the road or shutting down 194 coal-fired power plants. By 2016, if the new rules take effect as planned, new passenger cars sold in the U.S. will have to meet an average mileage requirement of 39 mpg, up from 27.5 mpg currently. Light trucks would have to deliver an average of 30 mpg, compared with about 23 mpg today."What do you think of imposing stricter fuel economy standards? Learn more about energy in our Issue paper and share your views in our Forums. Energy Environment Tue, 19 May 2009 08:16:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/5/19/New-Auto-Emission-Standards http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/10/20/Top-Concern-4-Climate-Change The 4th ranked issue among the young Americans who took the National Issues Survey was Climate Change and the Environment. The Environmental Protection Agency website has the following explanation of global warming caused by climate change on their website:Why are greenhouse gas concentrations increasing? Scientists generally believe that the combustion of fossil fuels and other human activities are the primary reason for the increased concentration of carbon dioxide. Plant respiration and the decomposition of organic matter release more than 10 times the CO2 released by human activities; but these releases have generally been in balance during the centuries leading up to the industrial revolution with carbon dioxide absorbed by terrestrial vegetation and the oceans."The United States accounts for a quarter of the worlds greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere, with emissions growing at the rate of 2 percent a year []." (23). Burning of fossil fuels such as gas, coal and oil, causes the emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Both presidential candidates have discussed the need to use more alternatives to these fossil fuels. Such alternatives include solar, wind, nuclear, and geothermal. The last few years have seen increased concern and attention paid to climate change. Former Vice President Al Gore won the nobel prize for his work calling attention to the issue and since has started an organization, WeCanSolveIt.org, to work towards a solution. Texas oilman, T. Boone Pickens has started his own efforts, which include creating wind farms across the Midwest of the United States. Such efforts tout not only the environmental impact of alternative energy but also the positive economic impact and job creation. You can learn about the Presidential candidates positions through the below links to their websites:Barack Obama (D)John McCain (R)Ralph Nader (I)Bob Barr (L) - Cong. Barr does not have an issue page on his website about Climate Change or the Environment. This is a link to his issue page on Energy policy. Environment Climate Change 2008 election Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:05:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/10/20/Top-Concern-4-Climate-Change http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/8/20/Court-Rejects-EPA-Regs The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit this week ruled recently enacted administrative rules regarding monitoring pollution were unconstitutional. "A federal appeals court yesterday struck down a Bush administration rule that prevented states and local governments from imposing stricter monitoring of pollution generated by power plants, factories and oil refineries than required by the federal government," reports the Washington Post. As always, please share your thoughts in the Association of Young Americans Forums. Climate Change Environment Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:27:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/8/20/Court-Rejects-EPA-Regs