For the past eight years, the people of the United States have been becoming gradually more frustrated with the current administration, to say the least. In the upcoming election, both candidates are claiming change: a change for the economy, a change for foreign diplomacy, etc. For me, personally, the most important change is in the way our nation views our responsibility to the environment.

The United States is a leading consumer of oil and a leading producer of carbon dioxide emissions, thanks in large part to President Bush’s failure to ratify the Kyoto Protocol at the beginning of his time in office. To deal with this issue, the candidates have to promote a change in the way that America uses sources of energy. Both candidates promote nuclear energy, as well as renewable resources. While Sen. Obama focuses on what will work in the long run by placing emphasis on renewable resources such as wind and solar, Sen. McCain has placed more emphasis on nuclear energy.

It’s true that nuclear energy would reduce carbon dioxide emissions — but it also poses further environmental issues due to the amount of water needed in a nuclear power plant, as well as the problem with radioactive waste disposal. In addition to this stance, Sen. McCain also has placed much emphasis on relaxing the limitations on offshore drilling.

The problems with more offshore drilling would not only pose the obvious immediate harm to the surrounding environment but would also fuel the nation’s already debilitating dependence on oil.

What Sen. Obama promotes is a change that will have economic cost in the immediate future, but will change the way that Americans view energy and the environment. The environmental issue holds high saliency on Obama’s agenda, as it should.

To solve the energy crisis, as well as to provide a healthy environment for ourselves and future generations, we need to place our time, and yes, our money, in finding new ways to provide our nation with clean energy resources that will prove to lighten oil dependency as well as to save the environment that we have neglected for too long.

While there are many issues that are of top priority this election, without giving attention to the desperate needs of the environment, everything else is a moot point. Sen. Obama’s views focus on the long run and provide a win-win, and that’s why I voted for change.

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