Feb. 29, 2008: Assembly Passes on Chance to Affect Real ChangeMedia Clip
Posted February 29th, 2008 by ElenaVelkov
A University of Wisconsin student addresses the state Assembly's inaction on global warming. Badger Herald Our state Assembly had the chance to do something great this past Tuesday while addressing an issue of dire importance. They had the opportunity to consider Assembly Bill 157, the Wisconsin Safe Climate Act, which would require the state to sharply reduce the main cause of global warming, carbon dioxide pollution. However, members of our Legislature failed this test of history and courageously chose to block even its very discussion. I call these men and women “courageous” because they committed this obstruction despite the 84 percent of Wisconsinites who favor state action to reduce the causes of global warming. Clearly, like our president, these civil servants are not intimidated by something as inconsequential as the will of the people. Their electoral future did not even provoke them to discuss the matter. Or perhaps they are merely so busy that they just do not have time to deliberate about what role Wisconsin, with our long history of progressive leadership, can take in preventing the potential annihilation of life as we know it. Countering global warming is one of the deepest moral and strategic challenges our species has ever faced. University of Wisconsin zoology Professor James Pawley described it as an “overarching problem” which, if not handled properly, “could lead to the premature demise of billions of people.” |
