The recent national election and what it means for our environment…

So as most folks know by now, Donald Trump is on tap to be elected by the electoral college in mid-December.  While there is the start of a recount movement in several key states, unless strong evidence is found to show the results were tampered with, it is likely that he will be elected.  That said, his election could be problematic for the environment of both our county and to some regard the world as a whole.

Donald has proclaimed in several instances that climate change is a hoax, perpetrated by foreign powers to increase the costs of American goods.  It also appears that he has Myron Ebell, who is a well-known climate skeptic, to lead his transition with the EPA.

So, on a whole, Donald is off to a really poor start regarding the state of environmental affairs. 

I think, that most skeptics, seem to overlook one gleaming fact regarding the environment and its changing conditions.  They without fail point to regulations being the cause of increased costs of goods and the stifling of small business, large business, etc.  What none of them seem to have noticed is if everyone is sick and dying from bad air, tainted water, and contaminated soil they will have no one to sell their goods to.  I can’t imagine that is good for their bottom line.  Unless they are trying to go bankrupt… wait, that’s Donald’s pattern, isn’t it?

Back to the point, what does this election mean environmentally?  Well, it quite possibly maybe too early to say with any certainty.  Donald has in recent days been back pedaling across the gambit of campaign rhetoric and promises.  Thus far, he has even stated in an interview with the New York Times that he was “open to the idea” of climate change.  That statement however is being downplayed by some of his incoming staff who claim he still thinks it’s a load of bunk. 

In the end, the only way to know for sure how bad this election hurts us in terms of environmental issues is to see how the coming weeks and months unfold.  I would expect, if he is serious about undoing any of the current administrations progress environmentally, that he will being that process quickly.

In the meantime, we need to all make our voices heard.  Write your congress persons, your representatives, at both the state and federal levels.  If you are able, now would be a good time to open your wallets or free time to some of the environmental groups and causes.  I won’t innumerate them here, but there are many different organizations, some better than others, who need support in all forms to help keep the fight going.  Finally, don’t lose heart.  Donald is a bad person, with bad ideas, but we’ve had bad leaders before, and we’ve always been able to ride through and come out better on the other side.  This will be another of those instances.