HuffPost's QuickRead... ShareBox.ad = function (tag_id){if ($(tag_id) == undefined) return; if ($(tag_id).innerHTML != '') return;ad_spec = {"zone_info": "huffpost.green/blog;green=1;nickname=steven-cohen;entry_id=778758;midterm-elections=1;proposition-23=1;sustainability=1","ord": 1288876666,"tile": 3,"width": 300,"height": 250,"el_id": tag_id + "_js","class_name": "ad_block ad_wide top","type": "iframe"}HuffPoUtil.WEDGJE.write(ad_spec, tag_id);};Loading... HuffPost's QuickRead... 
Loading... BIG NEWS:Climate Change|Animals|West Virginia Mine Disaster|Green Energy| Energy Debates| More... | LogoutLog In| Sign Up The Huffington Post November 4, 2010 Front PagePoliticsBusinessMediaEntertainmentComedySportsStyle WorldGreenTech Food Travel LivingHealth Arts Books Religion Impact Education College NY LA Chicago Denver Blogs 
Steven CohenExecutive Director, The Earth Institute, Columbia UniversityPosted: November 4, 2010 08:34 AMBIOBecome a FanGet Email AlertsBloggers' Index
function hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage() {var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble");bubble.style.display = "none";}function hide_user_promo_bubble() {var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble");var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, {opacity: {to: 0}}, 1, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut);myAnim.animate();setTimeout("hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage()", 1100);}function handle_promo_username(params) {var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble");var img = $("user_promo_bubble_image");var anchor = $("user_promo_bubble_link");if (params.has_photo == "true") {img.src = "http://images.huffingtonpost.com/profiles/" + params.user_id + "-tiny.png";} else {img.style.display = "none";Dom.addClass(anchor, "wide");}anchor.innerHTML = "Shared by " + params.user_name;anchor.href = "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/" + params.user_name;bubble.style.display = "block";var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, {opacity: {to: 1}}, 2, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut);myAnim.animate();}if (HuffPoUtil.getUrlVar("user_promo")) {YAHOO.util.Event.onDOMReady(function() {var parts = document.location.hash.split(","), shared_by = "", badge = "", i;if (parts.length Understanding the Electorate's Support for the Sustainability Agenda What's Your Reaction: HPConfig.entry_digg_promo_url = 'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-cohen/understanding-the-elector_b_778758.html';digg facebook Twitter stumble redditdel.ico.us InspiringEnlightening
Infuriating
Scary
Helpful
Amazing
Innovative
Adorable
Read More:Midterm Elections, Proposition 23, Sustainability, Green News
#news_entries #ad_sharebox_260x60 img {padding:0px;margin:0px} Get Green AlertsEmailComments
While most of the national attention devoted to California's ballot propositions this year focused on the failed effort to legalize marijuana, Californians also voted to retain their cutting edge effort to curb greenhouse gasses. Proposition 23 was defeated overwhelmingly with over 61% of the electorate rejecting a well-funded, but misguided, attempt to turn back the environmental policy clock.
As the Republicans celebrate their recent electoral victories, they would be wise to keep in mind that the effort to sell anti-environmental legislation as job-killing government intrusion is not taking hold. The country is frustrated with its institutions, and that is why it continues to toss out whichever party controls the government. The Republicans felt that sting in 2006 and 2008, and the Democrats are feeling it today. But support for environmental protection, renewable energy and energy efficiency remain strong in the American electorate. The sustainability agenda is taking hold in blue states like California and New York, but is also gaining strength in other parts of the country as well.
A posting on the environmental web site Grist reported that environmental ballot initiatives were approved in:
•Georgia where Amendment 4 will now permit multiyear state contracts for energy efficiency and conservation projects.
•Iowa where Measure 1 sets up a fund to improve water quality, protect ecosystems and establish parks.
•Maine where Question 3 established a $9,750,000 bond to invest in land conservation and waterfront and parks preservation
•Oregon where Measure 76 continued lottery funding for parks, beaches, wildlife habitat, and watershed protection.
•Rhode Island where Question 4 will allow land purchases to protect Narragansett Bay
This is not to paint a picture of electoral unanimity. The nation's anti-tax fervor resulted in the State of Washington's rejection of a $505 million energy efficiency bond issue and a tax on bottled water. It is also true that many of the Republicans that ran successfully this year campaigned on an anti-environment, anti-tax and anti-government platform. The public's anger with government and established institutions is a clear signal sent by the 2010 election. However, Republicans are mistaken if they think they have a mandate to destroy ecosystems in the blind pursuit of short-term economic gain.
As President Obama learned on election eve and as the new Speaker of the House, John Boehner, will learn in a hurry, this is a centrist nation. Environmental protection and sustainability is a mainstream centrist issue. This election provided no mandate to pursue deep water oil drilling, natural gas hydrofracking and mountain top removal for coal. The American public is still trying to make decisions about those issues, but the anger they directed at big government on November 2 can easily be redirected to big business and their political allies. Ask BP if you think I'm wrong. The conservative impulse in American politics is not simply anti-government, it favors conserving the American way of life. For some conservatives, that means the preservation of the natural environment. Conservative hunters are one of the primary constituents of wildlife and habitat conservation. The National Wildlife Federation's work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove Yellowstone's Grizzly bear population from the endangered species list is an example of a conservative part of the environmental movement that John Boehner and his pals would be wise to remember.
The underlying issue in American politics today is that people feel helpless and unable to control their destiny in the face of large, impersonal institutions. The American public does not want to trade off clean water, land and air for economic development. They are starting to suspect that this is a false trade-off, but do not know where to turn for unbiased environmental information.
As better run and profitable American corporations adopt sustainability as a core management principle, akin to sound financial controls and enlightened human resource management, the companies that want to destroy ecosystems to extract wealth are starting to lose credibility. As the corporate mainstream shifts, the politicians talking about job killing environmental regulation may find themselves conversing with a dwindling constituency.
Since the core beliefs of the average American voter do not change very quickly, it may seem difficult to understand the see-saw motion of the national political power equation. George H.W. Bush is elected in1988 and then loses to Bill Clinton in 1992. Newt Gingrich takes the House in 1994 but then Clinton is re-elected in 1996. George W. Bush sort of wins in 2000, is reelected in 2004, but loses the Congress in 2006. Barack Obama wins in 2008, and then loses the House in 2010. Based on the acceleration of the political cycle we have seen in the past two decades, one can almost bet on President Obama's reelection in 2012.
My explanation for these rapid shifts of political fortune is that they are caused by the vast increase in the volume of political information and dialogue that bombard us through the 24-7 global cable news media and world wide web. America is a centrist country, but the political center is being redefined every 18 months. Nevertheless, no matter how the political center shifts, support for clean air, water and land remains strong and fundamental. We saw that in the midst of the conservative wave this past Election Day. When Americans had clear environmental issues on the ballot on November 2, they typically supported protection.
Follow Steven Cohen on Twitter:www.twitter.com/earthinstitute
Sustainability More in Green...
California Voters Say Hell No to Texas...Tree Hugging Ain't the Reason Californians Endorsed...Life Edited: Graham Hill Wants You To...Elephant Baby Born At Taronga Zoo In... function returnCommentDetails(params) {// this is the proxy method. just proxyreturn CommentsSharer.getHoveredCommentDetails(params);};function callback_for_loaded_Badges(params) {//console.log("callback_for_loaded_Badges() called");CommentsSharer.badge_object = params.badge_object; // not actualy used, by could be usefulCommentsSharer.badge_holder_id = params.badge_holder_id; // not actualy used, by could be useful}diggstumbleredditdel.ico.usCommentsSharer.initBadgeBox("comment_share_popup"); Comments 0 Pending Comments 0 View FAQ \ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Croobert News\huffingtonpost\snn-logo-comments.png){kind=logo}
Login or connect with: More Login OptionsLogin with: Google Account Huffpost Account Yahoo AccountYou must be logged in to comment.Post CommentPreview CommentTo reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.Share your Comment:
Post to Facebook.Post to Blogger.Post to Twitter.Post to WordPress.Post to TypePad.Post to Tumblr.Post to Yahoo! View All Recency | Popularity New comments on this entry — Click to refresh
Loading comments… Loading twitter module... Most Popular on HuffPostExqUhVpbvPcM8hf%2FL5q%2Bd3wZBh9ZOMATNrKPi4E8n0xRpKLH3iLnhnq3lyJOS7HjyicBJb8hHEHLEqJc8lI5PA%3D%3DAAvO8GkOWJVltmUKwDno52IReFbQwEOM9CDQHzg6tMUGeCArKIZEig%2B15Z29wQdsW%2FvV6cjy0tXZ%2BL1fVZ7zgg%3D%3D1 of 2 Election Results: Live Updates From 2010 Elections47,461 Comments
WARNING: What Not To Post On Facebook285 Comments
PHOTO: Fergie Goes Pantsless, Talks Meth Recovery, Husband's Scandal225 Comments
Find. Eat. Drink. 10 Chefs and the Sandwiches They Love262 Comments
Neurogenesis: How To Change Your Brain105 Comments
Shana Ting Lipton Proposition 19 Backer Richard Lee's Top...44 Comments
Election 2010 Winners And Losers2,851 Comments
Kendra Wilkinson: I'm A 'Single Mom'493 Comments
WATCH: Keith Olbermann Suspends 'Worst Person' Segment In Wake Of Rally To Restore Sanity5,989 Comments Don't Miss HuffPost Bloggers1 of 5
Robin Quivers Exploring Solutions for ObesityMark Penn Strategy Corner: Exit Polls Show the Voters Just Want Obama Back in the Center and on the EconomyPaul Begala A Centrist Democratic Agenda: More Jobs, Less CorruptionMichael Moore Today Is the DayMark Ruffalo Taking on Karl RoveRussell Simmons Don’t Vote And We’ll Get The Alice In Wonderland Congress From Hell!Paulina Porizkova On PoliticsDavis Guggenheim Do you Dither?Wyclef Jean What You Gonna Fight For?Van Jones A Beautiful Coalition Against Dirty EnergyHot Trends 10 most deadliest animals alex wypyszinski chupacabra james hansen red lionfish TOP VIDEO PICKS1 of 10 Biodiversity talks underway in Japan Human patients in key stem cell trial The car that wants to be a living room var ndn_max_page = 10;var ndn_entries = [[{'title':'Biodiversity talks underway in Japan', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=105476&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/105476.jpg'},{'title':'Human patients in key stem cell trial', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=103652&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/103652.jpg'},{'title':'The car that wants to be a living room', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=103577&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/103577.jpg'}],[{'title':'Hi-tech vegetables, China's new growth industry', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=97639&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/97639.jpg'},{'title':'Which? Switch finds UK bill chill', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=68585&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/68585.jpg'},{'title':'Britain Prepares to Spend $160 Billion on Offshore Wind', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=67392&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/67392.jpg'}],[{'title':'Obama unveils energy credits', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=67761&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/67761.jpg'},{'title':'Restaurants go green', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=65485&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/65485.jpg'},{'title':'Executives Go Green', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=59309&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/59309.jpg'}],[{'title':'Brazil's Lula calls for firm pledges on climate change', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=59247&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/59247.jpg'},{'title':'Losing Kenya's Lake Naivasha', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=59064&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/59064.jpg'},{'title':'Eco-camping takes hold in France', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=59155&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/59155.jpg'}],[{'title':'Rooftop Crops', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=58917&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/58917.jpg'},{'title':'In-Depth Look - Making Money at Home', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=58714&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/58714.jpg'},{'title':'Inside Look - EPA Moves to Curb Greenhouse Gas Emissions', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=58703&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/58703.jpg'}],[{'title':'Inside Look - Refueling the Climate Debate', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=58577&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/58577.jpg'},{'title':'Senators To Unveil Climate Bill', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=58462&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/58462.jpg'},{'title':'US Businesses Split On Climate Change', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=58332&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/58332.jpg'}],[{'title':'Fire hoses are 'upcycled'', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=58154&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/58154.jpg'},{'title':'UK set for new green trains', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=58106&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/58106.jpg'},{'title':'UN: Pace of climate change quickens', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=58093&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/58093.jpg'}],[{'title':'In-Depth - Obama's G-20: Popularity To Policy', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=57677&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/57677.jpg'},{'title':'Businesses weigh climate options', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=57668&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/57668.jpg'},{'title':'Climate: Greenpeace hangs banner from Pittsburgh bridge', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=57621&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/57621.jpg'}],[{'title':'U.N. Summit on Climate Change', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=57505&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/57505.jpg'},{'title':'The Debate on Climate Change', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=57512&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/57512.jpg'},{'title':'Clinton Summit Looks At Climate Change', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=57445&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/57445.jpg'}],[{'title':''Climate Change NYC' Gets Underway', 'entry_url':'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/newsinc/landing_page.html?vid=57414&cid=4391&freewheel=90057&sitesection=huffingtonpost', 'img_url':'http://thumbnail.newsinc.com/57414.jpg'}]];var ndn_pagination = new CommonPaginator({'moduleName': 'ndn', 'maxPage': ndn_max_page, 'is_circle': true, 'is_custom_data': true, 'custom_data': ndn_entries, 'custom_img_width': 74, 'custom_img_height': 54, 'custom_play_button': true});HuffPoUtil.ImageLoader.foldCheck("hp_ndn_page_1"); Follow Huffington Post MOST DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW 
PHOTOS: Gulf Oil Spill Isn't Gone -- Recent Images Show Region Is Still Devastated 2 Comments
New Scott Toilet Paper Ditches The Tube39 Comments HOT ON FACEBOOK
PHOTOS: Baby Elephant Born In Australia17 Comments
PHOTOS: Over 7,000 Events In 188 Countries Tackle Climate Change With A Global Work Party218 Comments HOT ON TWITTER
U.N. Biodiversity Talks Reach Agreement To Protect 17% Of Land, 10% Of Oceans By 202060 Comments
PHOTOS: 6 Months Later: The Most Unforgettable Images54 Comments HUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES
Brad Pitt, His Kids, Ben Stiller & Tina Fey At 'Megamind' Premiere (PHOTOS)Brad Pitt Cuomo's Transition to Albany Well Under Way Andrew Cuomo Paul Pierce Scores 20,000 Career Points As A Boston Celtic (VIDEO)Video Edward F. Cox Under Fire as New York G.O.P. Head GOP White House To Business: Can't We Be Friends?CEOs North Carolina State Students Block Tunnel Over Racist GraffitiThe South Kobe Records Triple-Double, Lakers Beat Kings 112-100LA Lakers John Mica: GOP Lawmaker Poised To Head House Transportation Committee Wants To Re-Examine Obama's $10 Billion High-Speed Train GrantsTrains White House Calls Brian Williams To Complain: NYPNBCmore big news pages » Front PagePoliticsBusinessMediaEntertainmentComedySportsStyleWorldGreenTech Food Travel Living Health Arts Books Religion Impact Education College NY LA Chicago Denver BlogsAdvertise | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Careers | FAQ | Contact UsCopyright © 2010 HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | Powered by Movable Type
HuffPost Lightbox 
No comments:
Post a Comment