Dear Mr. Biden: Five Sustainable Suggestions
Dear Mr. Biden,
Congratulations on securing the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Forgive me for the intrusion but I have a few thoughts I would like to share from the perspective of a citizen, a voter and a sustainable business professional.
You have pledged to return the US to the Community of Nations that have signed the Paris Agreement to address Climate Change. That is important, because the world is wondering if they can count on the United States, and, frankly, the issue is of massive importance to our nation, and all people. You may be surprised that I do not suggest you focus on signing it right away. Please learn from the past and explain on the campaign trail that, rather than signing an executive order, you intend to work with the Senate to come up with a treaty that they can ratify. This is important for two reasons; first it will show a willingness to compromise and work through the established system of our government and second it will demonstrate to the world that they can count on us. Right now, this ‘one day we’re in, one day we’re out’ is confusing to them as it is to us.
Commit to work with the Senate to come up with a (Paris Agreement) treaty that they can ratify
It is important that we take our decisions based on the best scientific consensus, not the extremes. I encourage you to promise to look at the EPA regulations that have been rolled back and consider which were truly onerous and which make sense to restore. Don’t just pledge to go in and go back to the status quo when your previous administration left office. I know people with a seasonal stream in their back yard that was deemed a ‘navigable waterway’ — a clear misinterpretation of both of those two words. Let your administration, if you are fortunate enough to win the election, stand for sensible regulation and not government overreach.
Promise to follow the best scientific consensus, not the extremes
The same pledge to follow the science ought to guide our pandemic preparation and response. Seriously look into the inventory that was in the national stockpile when Covid-19 hit. Determine the right levels of non-perishable equipment that ought to be in there and restore it. Hopefully it will be future generations that appreciate this foresight, but right now you have the public behind doing so. The election is in November and it is likely that the second wave of Covid-19 will be upon us at that time. The vaccine, even by the most optimistic estimates, will still be months away. Announce and share a plan — not denial of the problem that continues to lead to more death and suffering than is necessary — to reopen our country and economy starting where it is safe and reasonable to do so. Do not be like the last time and promise to have a plan and refuse to share it (because the other side will ‘take it’). Announce it loudly and boldly. If they copy it then they are admitting your plan — and your leadership — is better.
Share your pandemic recovery (and future prevention) plans
Mr. Biden, let this be the last time that people have to march in the streets for equal justice under the law. Pledge to create an independent, non-partisan ‘Reconciliation Commission’ based on what was done in South Africa. Reach out to some of the people you have worked with over the decades to serve on it. Find people of integrity with trusted reputations. Ask John Lewis to serve as co-chair and to select his co-chair. Include people from law enforcement as well. Make the purpose to build a path forward, rather than to re-litigate the grievances and abuses of the past, but to learn from them.
Pledge to create an independent, non-partisan commission to really address the issues related to race and inequality in America
And from the economic pillar; please look at how bail-outs reward companies for hiring people. We know the stock market does (it has no conscience!) but these are our tax dollars and they shouldn’t be taken from us and used to hurt us. I have nothing against wealth-creation and generation, but this needs to stop. As strong as the bull market was, Americans had little savings when needed and more of us ended up on food bank lines than ever before in history. That is a scandal. Meanwhile our farmers struggled to find ways to get their food to market and ended up destroying it in the field. Work to end hunger by looking at food waste — the third leading contributor of emissions associated with climate change (behind the US and China). It is the most obvious place to start since, unlike transportation and energy, literally there is not one single benefit.
Tell us what you intend to do to ensure no Americans go to bed hungry
I know you have your own ideas for campaign platform, but here are some of my ideas. I wish you the very, very best of luck in the campaign.