Republicans Need a Serious Policy Review

The GOP's election defeat of 2012 lends credence to the belief that Republicans desperately need to change their strategy. The party can no longer win by appealing only to older white males. Republicans did not win the Presidency and they lost ground in the Senate, however they did retain the House. If they want to be the party of the majority they will need to adopt more rational fact based policy positions, this includes the science of climate change.

Republicans are at odds the majority of the American voting public. There is popular support to raise taxes on the wealthly, and maintain spending on social programs. However, the GOP has painted itself into a corner as the Republican House was elected on a no-tax-hike pledge, and includes a larger contingent of small-government advocates than before.

As the fiscal cliff looms, Republicans have already shown that they are not afraid of playing chicken with the American economy to get their way. Americans have seen the face of Republican obstructionism and more of the same does not constitue a viable path to the White House.

You can’t blame the Republican loss on a lack of resources. Republicans clearly had the money and organization capable of winning in 2012. Mitt Romney’s loss along with the loss of several key U.S. Senate races is a clear sign that Republicans need to change.

Even the Conservative mouthpiece known as the Daily Caller concedes that the Republican agenda is to blame for their loss in 2012.

"[I]t is the job of politicians and parties and movements to persuade Americans to buy into their vision. And they clearly aren’t buying what Republicans are selling. It’s time for the GOP to do some serious soul searching."

How can Republicans become a majority party capable of attracting new voters and earning back the White House? To start with they need to enter the modern era and embrace a science based policy platform. This means they will need to broaden their appeal beyond old white men. They may want to start by reforming their antiquated agenda so that women can feel more comfortable with the party. With 71 percent of Hispanics voting for Obama in 2012, the GOP will need to find a way to reach out to this large and growing constituency.

The gender gap clearly hurt Mitt Romney according to exit polls. Obama enjoyed a ten point spread with women, CNN national exit polls showed that 54 percent of women cast their votes for President Obama on November 6, compared to 44 percent for Romney. Romney has a ten point spread with men 53 percent to 45 percent for Obama. With more women voting than men this served the President well in both 2008 and 2012 (women represent 53 percent of the electorate, compared to men’s 47 percent).

Some bizarre statements about rape by Republican Senate candidates Todd Akin in Missouri and Richard Mourdock in Indiana, did not help women's perception of the Republican party.

There is evidence to suggest that both women and hispanics are concerned about climate change. Women are more likely to suffer from climate change they are also more likely to want to do something about it. Surveys indicate that 77 percent of Latinos acknowledge the existence of climate change.

Global warming is destined to grow as a political issue. There is a strong body of evidence supporting the existence of anthropogenic warming. It is only a matter of time before the overwhelming majority of Americans see the scientific veracity of climate change. Extreme weather events have served as tangible reminders that are helping an increasing number of Americans to accept climate change.

The Republican war on climate science has got to end. The Republicans cannot continue to thwart the President's environmental agenda. Americans will not accept the GOPs incestuous relationship with the fossil fuel industry and other corporate interests beholden to the old energy economy.

Its not a pretty sight, but the GOP must take a long, hard look in the mirror.

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What Organizations are Doing for Earth Hour 2012

In 2012, Earth Hour is issuing a simple promise and a challenge - I Will If You Will. Here are a few examples of some of the Earth Hour challenges in 2012:

Sharan Burrow ITUC General Secretary inspires action

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) General Secretary, Sharan Burrow, has challenged trade unions around the world to take action for the environment. As part of Earth Hour’s I Will If You Will campaign Burrow has created a trade union network challenge to further encourage the transition to a more sustainable and low carbon economy. “If 100 trade union federations reach out to their national governments and ask them to invest 2% of the value of their economy (GDP) in green jobs, then I will ask the top 100 CEOs to support unions to run environmental awareness initiatives and to invest in greening their supply chains and products to create new jobs." In addition to the challenge, the ITUC has also launched the ITUC Earth Hour Workplace Challenge. It encourages individual and workplace environmental changes from eating less meat and turning off computers at night to using technology to reduce travel to work meetings. The Workplace Challenge is open to workers, managers and union representatives, so take a look.

WAGGGS challenge girl guides and girl scouts to take action for Earth Hour

Chief Executive Mary McPhail and World Board Chairman Nadine El Achy of the World Association of the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), have challenged girl guides and girl scouts around the world for Earth Hour's I Will If You Will campaign. The Chief Executive Mary McPhail pledges to hold an environmental action parade at the United Nations Rio+20 sustainability conference in June 2012, if girl guides and scouts around the world take up the challenge and learn more about environmental issues. "We want young people to be at the heart of efforts to save our planet. We would like girl guides and girl scouts to help us to show the United Nations how important young peoples views on the environment are." See the WAGGGS challenge here

Everest bike challenge for Earth Hour

31-year old mountain bike freestyle rider and runway fashion model Vittoria Brumotti, will pedal his bicycle as far as he can up the slopes of Everest, the world’s highest mountain, for Earth Hour. The Italian and his bike have already made it into the Guinness Book of Records for making 71 jumps on the peak of Punta Coroddi in Sardinia. But aiming for the 8,839 metre Everest will be in another league altogether. Brumotti will be recording a video message in the midst of the ride, where he will wear a panda cap in honour of WWF’s Earth Hour. “When I was a child I was a great fan of WWF, and now that I’m a grown up man I’m all the more convinced about that,” he said. “I appreciate the commitment of Earth Hour, which is as strong as the commitment devoted to my endeavours. I am proud to offer my contribution. WWF Earth Hour forever!”

The National Hockey League switching off for Earth Hour

Twenty National Hockey League (NHL) arenas will be switching-off non-essential lighting for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 PM local time. All facilities have pledged to scale back the energy used in their operations during the hour. NHL Green is further supporting this initiative by reducing energy usage at NHL headquarters in New York City at that time.

"For the NHL, the success of this event is about more than turning the lights off for one hour. It is about changing the way our sport approaches energy consumption," said Bernadette Mansur, SVP of NHL Green. "Our facilities are challenging themselves to operate more efficiently, and we are encouraging our employees to observe Earth Hour at home and reduce their energy”. consumption throughout the day."

Siemens Poland launches energy saving challenge for Earth Hour

For Earth Hour 2012, Siemens Home Appliances Division Poland has announced the “The Energy Is Inside Us” challenge. For every 10,000 supporters of the energy saving action on Siemens Poland facebook page, Siemens Home Appliances company will provide three energy efficient Siemens home appliances to a foster home. The campaign will take place over the next 12 months with a series of events being hosted by promising Polish actors, Borys Szyc. To save energy with Siemens and WWF, all you need is to fill in the application at energyinsideus.org/register

Siemens Home Appliances Division develops water and energy solutions for washing machines, tumble dryers, ovens, fridges, freezers, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners, among others. The Siemens Home Appliances eco-friendly solutions and resource saving policies in logistics, production and service cooperates with WWF on multiple projects as part of their social and natural responsibility actions.

Hitting the high notes in support of Earth Hour

Italian singer-songwriter Elisa Toffoli, and musician Niccolò Fabi, will be headline acts at a pedal-powered concert by roman band Tetes de Bois to celebrate Earth Hour on March 31. The show will take place at the beautiful Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, with large crowds expected to turn up to show their support for the environment. As ambassadors for Earth Hour, Elisa and Niccolò will be singing together as the castle lights are turned out. “By turning off the lights we will create light and life” Elisa says. Both artists truly believe in the importance of awareness and how Earth Hour encourages that. "By turning off the lights, we can increase our awareness" says Niccolo. “Now is the time not to give up the fight. Earth Hour can reach even new generations, who should learn right from the start about the importance of protecting and preserving their planet and its treasures.” Elisa adds.

HSBC supports Earth Hour from the United Kingdom to the UAE

HSBC colleagues in 58 offices around the world will be switching off their lights, at the workplace and at home, at 8:30pm (local time) this Saturday 31st March to support WWF's Earth Hour 2012. In taking further steps to reduce their carbon footprint and raise awareness for energy conservation, HSBC UAE branches are competing to see who can reduce their carbon footprint by the greatest amount between 1 April and 1 June and over 5000 staff will be making pledges to support the EWS-WWF call to action, as senior leaders and CEO's offer to cycle to their offices, work in the staff canteens and job swap in return for employees taking concrete and measurable action to reduce their energy consumption. Brenton Hush, HSBC Australia CTSO has challenged colleagues to reduce their energy consumption. The colleague making the best pledge will win a three-day visit to an Earthwatch exhibition in Queensland. HSBC Brunei is supporting a 15 km "Earth Hour" bike ride will take place to raise awareness of energy conservation and alternative transport.

Speaking about this year’s activity, Simon Martin Head of Group Corporate Sustainability commented “As a long term supporter of WWF’s Earth Hour, HSBC sees this campaign as an effective and symbolic way to raise awareness among our employees, customers and the wider public of the continued importance of consuming global resources responsibly and with an eye to the future. We understand the value of the world’s eco-systems to continued economic development and we want to play our part in protecting these resources.

Find out more about what is going on for Earth Hour at www.earthhour.org.

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