"A planet in peril..."

After two long years of campaigning, we finally have a president-elect. Barack Obama, as we all know by now, won in a landslide at the end of an historic race against John McCain. Millions of us were glued to our seats Tuesday night in anticipation and hope. And of course that hope was based on the issues that were and are so important to each of us.

For me, obviously the environment was a big issue. Towards the end of the campaign, as the financial crisis took center stage, the issue of the environment quietly and disappointingly took a back seat. In a number of polls, environmental issues even became an "other" when asked what issues are most important in this country.

So when Barack Obama spoke of the country's major challenges - two wars, a financial crisis, and "a planet in peril" - in his speech Tuesday night, it was nice to hear. Granted, we all know many of these issue are inextricably linked; without solving one effectively, we lessen our odds at success with another. But the more we explicitly talk about it, the more likely real action will be sought.

In other election news, a handful of lawmakers in the House, who consistently vote against clean energy and better environmental policy, lost their seats.

And of course dozens of environmental advocacy groups have undoubtedly reminded the president-elect of his promises during the campaign.

So provided the president-elect keeps some of his promises, including building efficiency goals, there is hope!