Green Options

In what feels like an extension of Earth Day (Month), the Environmental Protection Agency has declared May to be Sustainability Month. EPA scientists and administrators will engage the public through in-person events and online communication, all aimed at teaching people how to meet “the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

As the lead writer of this exciting new endeavor, let me be the first to officially welcome you to Red, Green, and Blue, the newest addition to the Green Options family of environmentally-themed blogs. I cannot think of a better time to be launching a niche blog that is focused on environmental politics — let me briefly explain why.

In terms of the political component, and without belaboring the obvious, we are in the midst of a presidential campaign that has gotten people excited about politics again. Record numbers of people (especially young people) have already turned out to vote in their state’s primaries and caucuses. And after Hillary Clinton took Ohio and Texas this week, it looks like the Dems will have to wait a few more months before they can coronate their candidate, while the GOP has already settled on John McCain as their presidential candidate. We are also involved in a war that is raising the hackles of people across the political spectrum. One thing Democrats and Republicans both seem to want is resolution to this drawn-out war/occupation. We are all tired of seeing our troops being taken out by IEDs and suicide bombs, only to be sent home to underfunded VA hospitals, or even worse, to be sent home in a flag-draped coffin. Finally, the economy has slowed its pace of growth, and this too has gotten people more interested in politics. We are certainly living in interesting times, and as a direct result of that, politics are re-emerging into the popular consciousness.