Earth Day 2012: A Look Back, And Thoughts on What is to Come

Today, 175 countries around the world join Enviance in celebrating the 42^nd annual Earth Day, a holiday that has helped garner support for pieces of environmental legislation like the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act.

We wanted to take a look back at progress made since Earth Day 2011, and provide our thoughts on the coming year.

We’ve seen some unexpected shifts in supporters, and opponents, of clean energy: In August the U.S. military, perhaps the most conservative organization in the country, set aggressive goals to become 25 percent renewable by 2025.

On the flipside, we saw environmental groups including the Sierra Club and National Resource Defense Council file a lawsuit to stall a renewable energy project, pitting allies against one another.

What about emissions and carbon reduction?

A report showed that the 10 Northeast states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) reduced carbon emissions in 2011 to their lowest level since 2009, and at a whopping 34 percent less than the RGGI cap.

What’s best is that, according to the report, this was achieved “without significant investment in new electric generation.” Encouraging news for our friends in the power industry.

Also, just last month the EPA proposed its first carbon emission standards for new power plants, which would replace a number of planned coal plants for cleaner-burning natural gas and renewables.

What will the rest of 2012 bring?

California, the eighth largest economy in the world, will hold its first carbon permit auction on November 14. It has the potential to generate more than $1 billion in 2012 alone and, if successful, could provide the template for national cap and trade legislation.

Speaking of national legislation, what will the impact of our next President be? President Obama has already made significant environmental progress, and if elected a second term, his motivation will shift from re-election to legacy, and environmental progress will increase even further.

That said, if Mitt Romney is elected, we would have a President who acknowledges the need to reduce carbon emissions, but is also extremely pro-business – would he be able to implement national cap and trade legislation?

What do you think the biggest environmental advances have been over the last year? Let us know in the comment section below!

Comments

[Girls Toys]

Exactly, we need to look back seriously and compare and think about the future.

[Saniflo Installation]

This is a very good thought and awareness. Uncontrolled carbon emission is the main cause to danger.

[Gable]

We could've done with that isinght early on.

[Sridevi]

organic cows have never had mad cow disease ever in hosrity.. makes one think doesn't it)To answer your question:I think going green helps our own immune systems, it prevents sicknesses/illnesses (created by chemical super bugs) is important to all around health well-being It also helps the environment (present and future) by reducing pollution, toxicity (airborne, ground, and water) less chemical waste, less waste in general which even if you're not a green person should make sense just based on fact and logic alone As we strive to protect the environment we should also look at protecting ourselves and family because we all know the Government and Health System doesn't!!! (they allow chemicals in our toothpaste, shampoos, etc that have been scientifically linked to cancer like parabens and their regulations allow foods and products with no long term tests to enter our stores and shelves like GMO's) This not only helps us but if we say no to things like this the environment will also reap the benefits

[Raymond]

Thanks for this informative inaoomftirn. but not only in USA but also all the leading countries mainly G-8 and also the G-20 countries must follow all the environmental protocols. If all the leading countries follow this rest of the countries will follow automatically.But it is very unfortunate that U.S.A is one of the biggest source of environmental pollution. Though they reduce the rates in recent years but what about the damages that have already done to the nature?It's really high time for us to take some action to save our environment and world. I really appreciate the steps taken by Senators.

[Enviance]

Hey Raymond, thanks for taking the time to comment on our posts. We appreciate your unique points that you bring up. If you have any suggestions on topics that you'd like to see here let us know!
Sincerely,
Enviance Team

[Youtube downloader]

It's really high time and we must look back and should think of holistically towards the mother earth.