I have a confession. I am a single issue voter. It's not that I don't care about the housing mess, hot-button cultural issues, universal health care, or the war in Iraq. It's just that all of these things are not nearly as acute or irreversible as climate change.
I will support a candidate who takes serious steps to reduce America's carbon footprint. For this to happen, whoever is President needs to commit to three things:
1.A Carbon Tax Here I'm sacrificing one core liberal value (progressive taxation) for another (the environment). Interestingly, there are some conservatives who are willing to entertain the notion of a carbon tax.
2.Massive Investment in Green TechnologyThis would include, but not be limited to, subsidies for energy efficient products, small business loans to kick start "green collar jobs", and of course investment in solar and wind farms.
3.Raise Net-Metering CapsThis one doesn't get mentioned a lot but I believe that it's absolutely essential. If we subsidize things like solar panels and raise the amount that homes, businesses, and hospitals can sell back to the grid, it will be nothing short of revolutionary.
Be advised: I, and many people in my generation, regard this issue as the defining issue for humanity in the twentieth century. I am willing to sacrifice all other issues for this one.