The Washington Post had an opinion piece this past weekend that caught my eye. It's about how we can work to reduce CO2 emissions regardless of our acceptance, or lack thereof, of climate change science: "How to stop global warming - even if you don't believe in it".
(h/t to boatsie, whose diary about COP16 included this link. Please visit their diary and recommend.)
This led to me to start blogging about something I've been meaning to for a some time...That is, the efforts happening right now, everywhere, outside the Beltway, to get a handle on GHG's. We'll do it, fer cryin' out loud, even if you won't help us, Senators!
The article addresses how politicians in Washington can get over the hump and pass legislation that is good for the environment, but without having to say it has anything to do with climate change.
So what's a conservative politician [the primary foot-draggers on climate change legislation] who secretly cares about climate change to do? How can Republicans, in Congress or in legislatures around the country, make the case to their colleagues - and how can they bring conservative voters along?
They must start by focusing on climate-friendly policies and stop assuming that we must first achieve unanimity on global warming science. People can support the transition to a carbon-free energy future without believing, or even knowing, that it might influence glaciers, coral reefs or Arctic ice.
There is a long list of carbon-reduction measures that strong majorities of Republicans, Democrats and independents firmly support, including mandating better fuel efficiency, increasing federal funding for clean-energy research, spending more for mass transit, raising efficiency standards for homes and other buildings, and requiring utilities to produce more energy from renewable sources. They even support limits on emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases - just as long as they are seen as anti-pollution measures, not "caps."
This, of course, can be applied to state-houses as well as Washington. And to local governments. And to community actions among neighbors. This is what that looks like in Montana:
The local CBS affiliate, KPAX, is broadcasting a series of energy-reduction, green-living, and carbon-reducing activities this week, the sorts of things that anybody can do. You can watch Sunday's segment here.
While the recent tough economic times mean that you may not be able to afford to buy a Prius or build a sustainable home, there are some simple ways you can help the environment without spending a dime.
..."[There are] ways to measure our consumption and to become aware are going to be the biggest savings out there," Big Sky Solar and Wind Vice President Mike Sudik advised.
...Plasma TVs use almost 20 watts per hour when they are off, but plugged in. If you leave that plasma TV on when you're not watching it, each hour it uses 324 watts. So, if you left your TV on for a month that would cost around $40.
"The more you test that stuff the more you become aware and learn how everything is," Sudik advised. Walter Bernauer and Sudik run a solar company and most of their days are spent figuring out how to save energy. They tell their costumers that they don't have to get rid of their Plasma TVs and computers to save energy, as long as they are remembering to turn them off.
...So, even if you're only saving on a small scale, you're still helping the environment by using less electricity every day.
Montanans as a whole are relatively well-connected to the land. People are either making their living off the land, or reside here to enjoy all the outdoor activities readily available to them after work. Or both. So this local program nails it in their hearts and wallets. Emphasizing caring about natural places, and about saving money. So they interview a fellow who lives in 'sustainable houses' as well as a guy who just 'does little things' to reduce home energy demand.
The program also mentioned another local 'green' event in Missoula, which happened on a cold Saturday in early November. Northwestern Energy, the electricity and natural gas company in the Upper Midwest and Northwest U.S., held Home Energy Expos around Montana this fall to help their customers lower their home energy demand. The Missoula event was the largest, with natural gas customers waiting well over an hour to get inside for free weatherization kits, access to information on reducing energy costs and qualifying for federal and state tax incentives, and participating in a drawing for free home energy 'make-overs' worth thousands of dollars. I didn't participate because we live in a relatively new, energy-efficient home. But it was encouraging to see the level of participation.
These kinds of local efforts are what I'm beginning to appreciate after such a disappointing legislative session in Washington this past year. Action is occurring at many levels outside the stupid Beltway!
I know plenty of Montanans care about saving money, saving energy, and saving the environment. And I say: More Power to the People!