Several days ago I wrote a diary in regard to my thoughts on Global Warming and how I felt it should NOT be our priority. I was amazed at the comments, as they didnt get what I was truly getting at: which was, without GOVERNMENT action towards this problem, how much that I do personally will make a difference? I am more than willing to do my part, and do, but I am the proverbial drop in the bucket, overwhealmed by POOR PUBLIC POLICY. It is MY belief that without a GOVERNMENT that is willing to change and lead it makes our challenge that much more difficult. As an illustration, lets use a historical example.
The Man On The Moon
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Its the late 50's. The space race is on. The cold war is raging. In walks JFK. Not only does he embrace a nearly unreachable challenge at the time of putting a man on the moon, he challenges the citizens to "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". He challenges ALL of us to step up and do our part. He is the leader of our country. He is resolute. He is firm in his commitment. Not to a war, but to a symbol of strength. A symbol of hope. A mission not only for the betterment of his country, but for the betterment of mankind. He sadly, as we all know, never lived to see what is perhaps his greatest legacy, far above the Cuban Missle Crisis in its reach and impact.
So that brings me to my point. If there were concerned citizens in 1960 that we needed to put a man on the moon, would it have been possible for them to do it without the involvement and leadership of its government? The answer would be a resounding NO.
The challenge we are looking at with Global Warming is at least as large of a challenge, and its ramifications are far more important that blasting a man into space. Yes, all of what we do on an individual level DOES make a difference. In the long term of course, education will be the thing that hopefully saves the planet. But all of the energy and thought that we put into thinking and talking about Global Warming is much more valuable IF we, as a movement, were to direct that energy into finding candidates for public office, from City Council up to President of the United States, that GETS IT on this issue.
Lets go district by district, state by state, governor by governor and do some reseach into where our leaders stand on this life threatening emergency, and put them on record. If they dont get it, for whatever reason, they should be targeted and challenged in elections, and it should become an issue. This is a cause worth fighting for. The way it stands right now, we cant even have a DEBATE on the EXISTENCE of Global Warming, let alone what our options as a nation could be to fight it with people like Inhofe around, a notorious Global Warming denier.
The change that embracing the possibilites that a zero emissions economy could bring could bring about a rebirth of industry in this country. Think of the industrial spinoffs from the space program: computers, nutrition bars, propulsion, navigation, communications, etc....... even the very internet in which we all gather and communicate. It is time to find leaders in business and especially government, that like JFK had the ability to challenge the WILLING citizens of this country to do thier part, in conjuction with a willing and active government that directed and guided the collective energy and creativity of the citizens towards a greater good. We are not only suffering from a lack of action but a lack of expectations. We need leaders who demand more of themselves as well as the people that they represent. When was the last time your congressional rep had a local meeting to ask YOU to do more for your country?
Other than ending the Iraq war, this is the biggest issue that we have. And they are both linked. In the name of national security, we need to think our way out of our dependence on middle eastern oil within 10 years, by reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses on a yearly basis that we burn via fossil fuels. It is possible. But it will NOT happen without GOVERNMENT ACTION. For people to say that it can be done without is in complete denial. Just as you couldnt build a rocket and blast off to the heavens from your front yard, you cant force (for instance) The President to sign the Kyoto Agreement on Emissions of Greenhouse Gasses. But you can find and support a candidate who can!!
If its possible to put a man on the moon it is possible to act on Global Warming. We need couragous leaders. And we need to not worry and complain in our diarys about the problem and its impending doom, but act. Organize. And find candidates that can lead the change that we all so deperately want.