Obama’s Green Action in First 100 Days

The Environmental New Service has a piece posted about Obama’s first 100 days and the green actions he’s taken thus far. According to the piece, most environmentalists, while not happy to the max, are pretty darn satisfied with Obama’s eco-related progress so far. Obama seems to be at the same level as eco-minded Americans. At a recent town hall meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, Obama said “Now, after 100 days, I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made, but I’m not satisfied…  our nation is not leading the world in developing 21st century energy. I’m not satisfied. And I know you aren’t either.”

Some eco highlights of Obama’s first 100 days include:

• Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope says, “President Obama has done more to lay the foundation for the clean energy future in three months than has been done in the previous three decades,” said Pope. “His economic recovery plan, the budget, and a sweeping set of executive branch actions amount to a huge down payment on a cleaner, more prosperous future.“
• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act started, which includes more than $60 billion in clean energy investments intended to jump-start the economy and build clean energy jobs of tomorrow. Not everyone is on board with green jobs, but for those who are, this is good news.
• Speaker Nancy Pelosi notes, “This budget and the recovery package that is its bookend are the greenest. This is the greenest budget in history and the stimulus is the greenest recovery package as well.“
• In January Obama decided to let 14 states create their own vehicle emissions standards and has also announced new regulations requiring improved fuel efficiency.

So far, the biggest critics are saying that green issues cost too much. And it does cost money to get things green, that’s pretty much non-debatable. On one side, with so few jobs, and the economy in the tank, I can see the critics side, but as an earth defender, I also think if we wait and wait for things to get better, and don’t take action the earth is also going to tank – we do sort of need a healthy planet to live on you know.

What do you think? Has Obama been green enough during his first 100 days? Too green and not focused enough on economics? Have your say in the comments.

Read the entire piece: Obama Earns Praise for Green Action in First 100 Days

[image via newscom]