With the great number of crises facing the American people today, environmental legislation often gets shunted aside by congress. Both congress and the people tend to focus on issues they find more pressing in their own lives, such as the economic downturn and health care reform. But although sustainability is typically an issue seen only in terms of its long-term benefits for national security and the environment, it also provides more immediate opportunities for stability. A concentrated effort to make America greener would create a wealth of new jobs across the country and help alleviate the effects of the economic downturn. In addition, oil resources continue to dwindle across the world. The United States cannot rely on the indefinite importation of one of its most important resources when scientists cannot even agree on how long it will last. Quick action towards independence could define the United States' role in the future of energy. Now is the perfect time to take aggressive legislative action towards achieving sustainability. The benefits of such action will have far-reaching effects for society, and the United States will be able to take the lead in what will certainly be one of the most important issues of the next century.
Ellen Duthoy\nCLAS I
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