For my entire lifetime the United States and its president wore the label of ‘leader of the free world.’ I have never known the history of that claim, but I assume if originated at the end of WWII. Every president since Dwight Eisenhower proudly wore the title, until 2017.

After trips to the G7 and the G20 summits, Trump was demoted. He is not respected by any of the developed nations in the world. The primary reason is that Trump refused to sign the ‘Paris Accord,’ an agreement signed by every nation in the free world other than Honduras, Syria, and now the United States. This agreement is merely a promise to reduce carbon emissions.

Instead of joining other nations in their efforts to reduce the effect of climate change, Trump has made it easier for the petroleum industry to drill in areas of our country which were previously protected by presidents who cared about out nation’s future.

Trump signed executive orders to allow drilling in Alaska’s pristine wilderness areas. He also removed protection from national parks in Utah and other states. The big oil companies will now be allowed to destroy the landscape with their destructive wells and pollute the air, land, and water without restriction.

France has a new president; his name is Emmanuel Macron. Under his leadership, France is now the leader of the free world. They are the first country to plan the end of fossil fuel exploration.

France’s parliament voted overwhelmingly to ban the production of oil and gas by 2040. “No new permits will be granted to extract fossil fuels and no existing licenses will be renewed beyond 2040, when all production in mainland France and its overseas territories will stop.”

Admittedly, this is mostly symbolic; the bulk of France’s oil and gas is imported; however, it is a bold statement.

The European Union has become far more advanced in matters of the environment and social issues. They are leaving the United States behind.

Under the control of Trump and his hypocritical party, our nation has placed profit before people. Our nation’s god is money. The people and the natural beauty of our country are no longer a priority.

Time for real change. Time to remove old, white, fake-Christian men from power. America needs a ‘feminine touch.’ We need leaders who will place the welfare of the American people ahead of greed.

Please re-post; thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

SOURCE

Image courtesy of Andrea

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