Thursday, November 4, 2010

Service Learning Project

For our service learning project we voted in the previous election. 

I voted for Deval Patrick.  I voted in my hometown.  I went to this great website that talked about Deval Patrick's stance on the environment.  The website stated how he has been a very strong environmental governor.  There is a part on the website that really caught my attention and influenced my decision.  This part is: 
"Governor Patrick is the only candidate in the race who agrees with the overwhelming majority of scientists – and conclusive evidence – that global warming is happening, and human activity is the primary cause.  Not only has he recognized the problem, but he has firmly committed the state to doing our part to solve it.  This proactive action uniquely situates Massachusetts to lead the nation and the world in the technologies that will flourish in a carbon-constrained world.  One of Deval Patrick’s first acts as Governor was to recommit Massachusetts to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) the first regional cap on global warming pollution from power plants in the country.  Revenue generated from RGGI is committed to energy efficiency programs that are saving consumers money and further reducing the state’s carbon footprint.  Beyond RGGI, the Governor signed into law the Global Warming Solutions Act which sets a comprehensive cap on greenhouse gases."  I voted for Deval Patrick because I think he really will make Global Warming a priority.

The website where I got all this information is:
https://www.environmentmassachusetts.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/elect-deval-patrick 



Marissa's reflection:
By voting for Deval Patrick, I voted for the candidate that seemed to have the most interest in doing something about Global Warming. 
I would definitely do something like this again.  Voting is very important.
I would teach and have students create their own service learning projects.  I think that it will give students a great opportunity to get involved and make a difference in their community.


-Marissa

As a New Hampshire resident I have done my part and voted for someone who believes in cleaning up our environment as well. Unfortunately Paul Hodes was not chosen to represent new Hampshire as a Senator. Congressman Paul Hodes has done a lot for promoting green jobs, and tax breaks for people and families that are also trying to cut back the greenhouse gases produced in our state.
Hodes held an integral position in the American Clean Energy and Security Act which would not only provide over 7,000 new jobs just in New Hampshire but it would also reduce our states carbon emissions by over 80%.
Obviously Paul Hodes does not dispute Global Warming, and believes that anything that we can do to help the environment is key in reducing our carbon footprint.
Kelly Ayotte defeated Paul Hodes for NH's senate seat, and I am very disappointed. Kelly Ayotte does not have a strong stance on anything to help our environment, and I'm disappointed in my fellow New Hampshire residents for disregarding the fact that Paul Hodes wants to do something great for our state.

I found the following link very interesting;
"Ayotte soundly defeated Hodes, garnering 60 percent of the vote to Hodes’ 37 percent, with 89 percent of precincts reporting in by press time, according to the AP.
Young voters and minorities, who tend to favor Democrats, do not vote in high numbers in off-year elections, according to Fowler. This decreased turnout hurts Democratic candidates across the country, she added."
http://thedartmouth.com/2010/11/03/news/election
It troubles me to think that younger people do not get out and vote in these seemingly minor elections. These senate and house races are just as important, and I'm sad to say that a lot of my friends were included in this. I loved that facebook offered a chance to tell all of the facebook world whether or not they voted or not. I think it got some people the motivation to get out there, and do it. I was a proud voter this past Tuesday, but I just wish that more people had supported Hodes like myself. The things that I have learned in the election, and knowing more about our carbon emissions makes me well informed for future decisions, and informing others on the importance of keeping New Hampshire green.
-Jennifer

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