Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s approval of SB 1070 has spawned consequences for national climate legislation.
This week, the leader of the long-anticipated, bi-partisan-backed climate bill, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), was forced to postpone its introduction to the Senate because of disputes about immigration reform.
Various news organizations reported that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S. Carolina), one of the bill’s supporters, threatened to pull out Saturday if Democrats attempted to push for an immediate debate on national immigration reform. His threat has thus delayed the unveiling of the bill, despite last week’s Earth Day celebration and anticipation.
Without Graham on board, the bill could lose Republican support. So much for a bipartisan effort to address the energy crisis.
There are hundreds of reasons why the introduction of new climate legislation is imperative to the economic and environmental security of the United States — reasons that show why the country cannot wait any longer.
While it is impossible to know exactly when the world will run out of oil, many scientists agree that international reserves are being depleted at a rate that will ensure near exhaustion of the resource within the next century. Before then, prices will continue to rise and global conflicts will continue to ensue over this valuable resource.
The United States has no choice but to search for energy alternatives, something the Obama Administration stressed during the 2008 election. With this ultimatum comes a chance to find more environmentally friendly options that will set an example for other nations’ energy policies.
Graham’s backing out of support for the climate bill is not surprising with the party politics that are so prevalent in the federal government. Energy reform, however, is too serious an issue to ignore because of pride.
Sources from the Democratic Party told CNN the immigration issue has a greater pull for the party before the 2012 election.
While immigration reform is essential, as evident by the division in Arizona, climate change is just as important an issue and has waited too long for national attention.
The choice should not be between immigration reform and solving the climate crisis — its time Republicans and Democrats step up and work together to solve both issues in a timely manner. Our national security, social equity, environmental health and economic prosperity depend on it.
Reach Nicole at ndgilber@asu.edu
