(LTE Published in The Christian Science Monitor Dec 21)
Regarding the Dec. 18 book review, “Newt Gingrich explains why red staters must turn green“: I am heartened to see this article (and Mr. Gingrich) touch on the need for cooperation on global-warming policy.
Unfortunately, the political status quo cannot and will not address greenhouse- gas emissions enough to prevent the worst-case scenarios. Never before has an issue required collective action on the scale this emergency demands, and never before has our country been so divided and unable to cooperate. The scientific evidence rolling in is daunting, but I have hope.
The technologies and policies to stop global warming, grow a green economy, and lift people out of poverty already exist. What’s missing is the political will in Washington and a unified demand for action from people on both sides of the aisle.
On Jan. 31, 2008, more than 1,000 college campuses in all 50 states plan to hold simultaneous teach-ins as a part of Focus the Nation. Members of Congress, along with countless local and state legislators, have already been invited to participate in solution-oriented roundtable discussions on global-warming policy.
As a parent, I urge all concerned citizens, journalists, and politicians to help us focus on global-warming solutions together.
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Nicely done, Alex. Way to go, getting an LTE in a widely-read national publication like the CSM.
The problem here is bad marketing. It is hard to get people who are cold and snow-bound to panic about any form of warming.
The issue is ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION. This exacerbates global warming and othe processes that have occurred over millions of years. Global warming is just a symptom of serious man-made atmospheric pollution but while the political leaders in a country have strong links to oil or coal the political will is not there.
If we can change the languare to it can be marketed more strongly politics would be pulled into line.
Jean Cannon It is easy to be green AND increase profits. http://www.envirojean.com
No doubt that global warming is very debated. I, however, have never heard that man is causing global cooling. For this - all I can say is that I hope that the people that believe this is natural are not wrong. But if man is causing at least part of the problem then why not do all we can. One thing not in dispute is that we cannot continue to use non-renewable sources on energy forever.
Are you familiar with the ground floor movement to take solar to the masses by a company called Citizenre? They are trying market solar with an approach similar to satellite TV, cellular telephones, and alarm systems. That is to provide the customer a complete solar system with no upfront charges and make money from a service contract. In this case the service contract would be a rent agreement. They intend to put a complete solar system on clients home. When the system produces electricity, it will lower the bill from the current utility provider. In most cases the savings from the lower bill will more than cover the rent fee that the company intends to charge. The company currently has no product available but intends to deploy in the middle of 2008. They are currently taking reservations and have over 26,000 takers so far. I have written several articles on this company in my blog and even have a couple of videos that I have recorded at http://www.solarjoules.com. Feel free to take a look. I welcome comments. As in any start up business, a chance exists that they may never get off the ground and fulfill any preorders, but if this is the case - the potential client has not lost anything. If you cannot afford the upfront cost of solar today, this may turn out to be a great alternative. This solution would mean that we could produce at least a little less pollution and would be a great step “just in case”. And hey, the fact that you will save money on your electricity bill over time is a pretty good reason to look into it as well.
If anyone would like company information you can go to http://www.jointhesolution.com/razmataz.