Both blogs were written within days of the Presidential election and the blogs both addressed the speculations about the new President and policies that will be the face of America within the next two months. Sustaining our economy was a prominent theme in both, and ‘green’ jobs was the solution given by both authors. This is a promising sign that America is on the brink of the next great innovation, just like we were two decades ago with the Internet and the computer innovations, green technologies are predicated to stabilize our economy, provide millions of Americans with high paying jobs, and provide sustainable energy and technologies that will curb the human effect of global warming.At this unique time in American history we as citizens have a chance to direct our country towards progress and change. The next president will have their work cut out for them, but with great challenge comes great reward.
Comment:
Forbes Lists America’s Hottest Green Job Markets
By Alex Smith
“We cannot afford more of the same timid politics when the future of our planet is at stake.. . . . This is not the future I want for my daughters. It's not the future any of us want for our children. And if we act now and we act boldly, it doesn't have to be.” - Barack Obama October 7th, 2007.
On the eve of Election Day Americans prepare to cast their votes for many candidates and issues, similar to previous elections, voters will evaluate each candidate and issue and democratically choose the direction we believe is best for our country. With the United States of America facing a long list of domestic and international issues, beginning with America’s dependence on foreign oil, the November 4th election is billed as one of the most important elections in American history.
With wars being waged in the Middle East, a declining economy at home, the United States of America faces a major challenge as we fight our dependence on foreign oil through creating and discovering alternative energy solutions. With manufacturing, within the United States, at a twenty-six year low and thousands of jobs being sent abroad, ‘Green Jobs’ will step in to fill the void and create millions of new jobs and will sustain our economy for years to come. According to Forbes, ‘Green Jobs’ ‘could soon become the nation's fastest-growing job segment, accounting for roughly 10% of new jobs over the next 20 years. The report forecasts that by 2038.’
Citing the aforementioned Forbes article, with support from the government the United States of America will create innovative ‘green’ technologies that will be exported throughout the world, and create an estimated 4.2 millions new jobs in the various sectors. ‘Renewable electricity production will create 1.23 million jobs; alternative transportation fuels, 1.5 million jobs; engineering, legal, research and consulting positions will be more than 1.4 million; and commercial and residential retrofits at 81,000 jobs.’
Comment:
Presidential Election Brings Green Jobs in Focus
By Ben Block
“And let it begin today with this commitment: In a world of hostile and unstable suppliers of oil, this nation will achieve strategic independence by 2025." – John McCain, June 25th, 2008
The historic election of 2008 has arrived. With many pending issues at hand, Jobs and the Economy are atop many of Americans’ minds as they head to the polls. "There is no better potential driver that pervades all aspects of our economy than a new energy economy," Barack Obama states in a Time Magazine interview. On this election day voters will have a chance to vote for a new president and a new direction for the country. The two candidates differ on the fundamentals of this issue, John McCain’s plan includes ‘implementing measures which focus on achieving results by providing incentives to stimulate private industry to develop necessary technologies,’ and Barack Obama uses ‘a hands on approach because laissez-faire
policy currently being applied to the energy market has not been effective in reducing the dominance of established fuel sources and has therefore not encouraged the development of alternative energies.’ Obama will mandate ‘green’ changes and McCain suggests that he will use incentives in order to get the private sector to ‘go green.’Forbes forecasts that ‘the green economy could soon become the nation's fastest-growing job segment, accounting for roughly 10% of new jobs over the next 20 years.’ The problem lies in the implementation of ‘green’ policies. McCain’s policy uses benchmarks or minimums that companies must reach in order to receive benefits. This however will put a ceiling on the ‘green’ innovations’ that will arise in the next few decades. Through competition and policy, Obama will provide a platform for green technologies and innovations to come to fruition.
1 comment:
Stephen, I think you do a good job with both of your comments. However I think your comment on Ben Block's blog is particularly good. I thought it was particularly good because though it was partisan (I'm guessing you voted for Obama) you made a more convincing and easy to understand case for Obama's green energy plan then did Block though this may be because Block was trying to be neutral. I found your comment to be very convincing and thought that your knowledge of the subject really showed through. I would have liked to have seen a longer introduction on your own blog such as introducing the authors and the sources of the articles/blogs you looked at but that is simply being nit picky. I felt that your analysis of the Forbes article was right on but that it lacked the same about of detailed analysis that you gave to the blog by Ben Block that you reviewed. Overall I think you did a very good job.
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