In 2007 Prime Minister Tony Blair called for “bold, decisive action” to combat climate change. Last week our government passed an economic recovery package that contains historic investments in green projects like public transit, energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy. The bill not only creates millions of much needed jobs that will maintain our neglected infrastructure, but also provides a critical down payment on a clean, renewable energy economy that will pay dividends well into the future. This is a win-win for all the citizens and residents of this, our one and only life support system, our “Spaceship Earth.”
It is only a first step.
Things are not going well. The oceans have maxed their capacity to store carbon dioxide. They now contain more plastic than plankton.
Conservation is the most effective, economical way to reduce carbon dioxide. However, history has shown that Americans suffer from EAS, Energy Alzheimer’s Syndrome. As soon as the price of gas goes down the sale of SUVs goes up. The solution must include moving rapidly towards ramping up our nuclear energy industry. The advantages of nuclear are enormous: 2 pounds of enriched uranium produce the equivalent energy as 100,000 boxcars of coal! The threats are grossly overstated. The nuclear waste can be almost infinitely recycled. France derives 75 percent of its energy from nuclear, Sweden and several other European countries 50 percent.
We would like to see the U.S. adopt the Natural Step Process, which is science based and includes the following provisions:
1. Don’t take more than can be replaced. At the rate we are mining our resources and the population is growing, we’ll need two planets in just 50 years.
2. Don’t create what cannot be recycled or isn’t biodegradable.
3. Don’t poison the processes which life depends on.
4. The community’s basic needs must be met.
Let’s join Sweden, 100 Canadian cities including Whistler, B.C., 30 U.S. cities, Nike, IKEA, Boeing and McDonald’s in this intelligent approach. For more information, check it out at www.thenaturalstep.org/usa.
Gary and Dianne Piazzon
Coupeville
