Let's commit to a healthy planet

Earth Day, on Sunday, came in the middle of a presidential campaign this year and Iowa is positioned to tip the balance. It is important to think about the strides forward during the past three years to protect our environment and improve our economy.

As a veteran, I am concerned that the dependence on foreign oil costs us in a variety of ways. The Obama administration has helped to reduce this by implementing the highest national standards for fuel economy and introducing greenhouse gas emission standards for cars. This will reduce oil consumption by more than 2 million barrels a day by 2030 and save more than $1.7 trillion in fuel costs.

Green jobs now include more than 2.7 million workers in a variety of industries. We have all seen the growth of the wind energy industry in Iowa, which provides employment and income in rural areas. The Obama administration has more than doubled investments in research for clean fuels and provided $60 billion in spending and tax incentives for renewable and clean energy.

Earth Day is a reaffirmation of our commitment to a healthy planet for us and our children's children. It is important to take the long view and support a vision that invests in our economy and ensures clean air and water. We need to make certain we support the president's commitment to those goals.

Marc Wallace

Des Moines