Obama’s green grade

With any presidency there will be mixed reviews. Fairly or unfairly, President Obama has been criticized over the last two years as much for what he hasn’t been able to accomplish as what he has. Whether that’s a product of what was left for him by a previous administration or his own shortcomings, it’s tough to tell. Either way, we’re not here to judge, particularly when it comes to the on the difficult financial situation that plagues our country. But we can take a look at the areas in which we work extensively, and here our views are mixed.

To be sure, the importance of preserving the environment is secondary to the growth, prosperity and safety of our nation. But these things are not always exclusive. Preservation of our natural resources and the need for alternative energy sources are vital to the future of the USA. There is a lot of promise in this respect. During a State of the Union address, Obama made clear his desire and the country’s need to reform more than its technology and science programs it the US is to reclaim its dominant status as an innovator. Recently, the President has taken to touring plants where innovations are taking place, and are being created with the greenest possible methods.

President Obama has also made efforts to rectify the job situation, but perhaps not with the long term vision we would like. This is especially true with green jobs, where the majority of the positions are undefined and temporary. But maybe this will change – in a speech this week he’s expected to formally announce a large scale plan to increase jobs, particularly the amount in the green sector.

This is all to say that whether he is re-elected or not, the final verdict will still be out on the job President Obama did while in office. His campaign was based on change, and whether through fault of his own or those who preceded him, not as much change came as promised. But we have hope that the groundwork he laid will have a lasting impact on our country.