Commentary
Smelling the Coffee
April 19th, 2007 by jayb
My message to people who are dismissive or hostile about the global warming/greenhouse gas problem is this: believe in global warming or not. But the benefits of going green are overwhelming and much broader than climate science.
Say you are Senator Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) and you think global warming is a hoax. Is that a reason to ignore renewable energy technology, a reason to continue to rely on oil imports from the Middle East, a reason to let Europe and Japan establish the dominant position in energy technologies, a reason to give bigger tax credits to the oil and coal industries than to renewable energy technologies? No.
We need to reduce our use of CO2-producing energy and increase our use of renewable energy because:
1) It will help fight global warming. But let’s say for a second, that doesn’t convince you.
2) It’s good business and will create jobs. Renewable technology is a great new high tech industry. We can go ahead and get aggressive the way we did with bio-tech and computer tech or we can sit back and watch Europe and Japan.
3) It’s good for the economy. Nations periodically through history have to make a change from one energy technology to another. Nations either adapt well or they weaken.
4) It’s good foreign policy. It’s not a coincidence that the country we have invaded twice in 12 years is oil-rich. Do we want our armed forces to be fighting and dying for our national security in Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia?
I happen to think that fighting global warming is the most compelling of those reasons but, to mangle the old political saying, there is a lot of room under this tent for different motivations.
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Comments
DGW said...
So, then its true. It IS political and really doesnt have much of anything to do with much else. There IS a lot of room in that tent then, isnt there. Its plain as day.
Posted on: April 20th, 2007 at 7:44pm
DGW said...
By the way, for those who agree with #1, above, there’s room in our tent… ;-)
Posted on: April 20th, 2007 at 7:46pm
said...
Hello “DGW”. Not sure I follow your post. Are you saying the global warming is political and doesn’t have much to do with anything? What does that mean?
All respectful posts are welcome.
Posted on: April 20th, 2007 at 8:15pm
kelli said...
I like “smelling the coffee’’ ....well said. Kelli
Posted on: April 29th, 2007 at 8:58pm
dwallace said...
Add #5: CLEANER AIR & WATER - I live in Atlanta and our air quality is very poor during the summer, to the extent that on many days we’re cautioned to limit our time outdoor (especially for those with respiratory issues); Atlanta is down wind of a coal burning power plant, 2+ million vehicles, airport, diesel trains, stagnat air and a drought. If we can find a better fuel source that could drastically change our micro-environment, who’d disagree that this isn’t a worthy goal.
Posted on: May 18th, 2007 at 8:00am
said...
Excellent point, dwallace.
159 million Americans live in areas with significant air pollution, according to NRDC. It causes health problems, medical costs, lost school and work days.
http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/fasthma.asp
Posted on: May 18th, 2007 at 11:56am
JorgeBurgos said...
Often being environmentally friendly will have immediate benefits for your life in other ways. E.g. locally grown, organic food tends to be tastier and healthier. Using less air conditioning is healthier. Less junk to dispose of means less landfill and less garbage floating around your house, filling up your cupboards. Riding to work makes you healthier. Less construction means quieter and more pleasant neighbourhoods. More vegetables and less beef is healthier. Learning to fix something or reuse something creatively is good for your brain and character.... the list goes on.
Posted on: April 8th, 2008 at 8:02am