Climate change and environmental stewardship are important issues that we must begin addressing now. The consequences of doing nothing are too grave. It will take extended effort over several decades to counter and reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas levels, so we must develop constructive solutions now. We must shift our cultural, political and corporate mindsets towards protecting that part of our environment of which we have some control.
---Develop alternative fuels.
---Invest in the development of technologies to reduce emissions and halt atmospheric greenhouse gas buildup. Provide government incentives to get this industry off the ground.
---Enlist the corporate and industrial sector to adopt the new technologies. Businesses need to realize that it is bad business to neglect the environment and the lives dependent on it.
---Collaborate with other nations to devise plans and methods for reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas levels.
---Set a good example to China and other nations by cleaning up our own environment.
---Strengthen and adequately enforce environmental laws and regulations.
---Pressure oil companies to install delivery and refinery systems that protect rather than harm the environment.
---Require car manufacturers to improve fuel efficiency and lessen vehicle emissions.
---Restore and preserve coasts and wetlands.
I must elaborate on coastal and wetland restoration since it is of paramount importance to my people and my district. Wetlands must be preserved. They protect us from storms and take pollutants out of the environment. A huge biodiversity of species are dependent on the wetlands for their survival, and in turn, we as humans are dependent on these species. Wetlands make up only 3% of the earth's landmass, yet they are vital for the health of the planet.
We cannot afford to lose any more of our Louisiana wetlands. Louisiana’s fishing industry provides the U.S. with 40% of its seafood and is dependent on the wetlands for survival. The oil industry has been a giant contributor to the loss of the Louisiana wetlands. To run pipes and build plants, it chopped up our wetlands in southern Louisiana. Since the oil industry has profited heavily from the region, it should rebuild what it has destroyed. This is in its best interests anyway to protect its own infrastructures from future storms. Much more effort on the government's part is required to nudge wetland reconstruction forward.
The southeast Louisiana economy is heavily dependent on the oil & gas industry. This industry is a huge employer of our people. Almost half the people in the region came here because of this industry. It helped to build our communities and feed our families. Neither our regional economy nor our national economy can survive the loss of Louisiana’s oil industry. Over 30% of the nation's oil is produced or piped through southern Louisiana. The computer you are using is made of oil. Oil was used to transport it to the store and then to your house. You are currently using oil to power your computer and the light in your room. You use oil to get to work to pay for the computer and for the electricity bill, etc. The reality is that oil is a very necessary part of everyday society. However, it can and must be used more efficiently while we are developing more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternatives.