Sorry for the abrupt departure from my usually fluffy Friday posts (see previous post if you’re just not up for something serious today–I’ll totally understand), but I just had to blog about this (and I even cross-posted at BlogHer).
In a recent speech, Al Gore issued a challenge to the United States similar to one issued by JFK many years ago. But instead of saying that America could put a man on the moon in 10 years, Al Gore challenges policymakers and the American public to adopt policies and practices that will allow us use 100% carbon-free energy in the next ten years.
You can watch the entire video of Al Gore’s Carbon-Free challenge, and sign the corresponding petition if you wish.
I would love to think that we could do this, and as usual Gore makes a compelling argument for why we need to do it (to improve national security, improve the economy–renewable energy has the potential to create a lot of jobs in a whole new industry–, and of course to protect the environment and slow down global warming).
But even more compelling are the ways he suggests we can do it. A number I’ve heard before that he quotes here is that we could, as a nation, reduce our energy consumption by 30% by efficiency alone! That’s huge. It means turning off lights, switching to CFLs, and buying more efficient appliances, which so many folks are already doing. He also mentions improvements to the aging energy grid–another place for potentially huge increases in efficiency.
As with so many noble causes, what Gore is calling for is a major cultural shift away from dirty energy and toward clean. I want so badly to believe this is possible, but I’m just not sure if we are committed enough and whether companies and the government are interested enough to make it happen. What do you think?
1 comment
Hatchet says:
July 18, 2008 at 10:11 pm (UTC 2 )
I think SOME of us are committed: Green Bean, Arduous, Little Plastic Fish, Crunchy Chicken, etc. Those ladies are already way ahead of the curve.
Those of us that are getting green-ER (You, CDG. Law & Motherhood, me, etc.) would be the most logical demographic for what Gore suggests.
Then there are the folks less green than us, some of whom we may be related to, that we can’t get to switch to anything eco-related. Tired? Lazy? Expensive? Can’t see the point? Whatever it is, they have an excuse ready.
Then there are those that don’t/won’t believe ANYTHING is wrong and won’t change no matter what. I believe this group includes the 30% “backwash” approval rating folks that still cheer for the current administration.
On my pessimistic days I worry that we are outnumbered by the last two groups.
In politics, you refer to the Angels, the Devils and Those Who Can Be Saved. Angels are already voting for you. Devils never will. But TWCBS are the votes you hunt down. They are the swingers. Unfortunately, I think they are also the folks that will need to be worked on to get them to buy into the green revolution. And for them, you have to make going green either as painless as possible or make staying where they are VERY painful.
I’m afraid there’s no easy answer.
I, for one (and my family), will be with you. And Al Gore.