New York Times
On Thursday Bill Clinton addressed a sustainability conference in New York City. Expressing frustration over how long it is taking for the country to move forward on clean energy and energy efficiency.
He stated: “Chill out – sometimes this stuff takes years.”
[..]the former president said there had been some progress but that the upfront costs of adopting better technology — especially in shaky economic times — and a cultural resistance to change remained significant obstacles.
“We are too wedded to the way we’ve done things,” Mr. Clinton said, waving his reading glasses for emphasis as he spoke. “It’s psychological as well as financial. We have to liberate ourselves from that.”
“Keep doing the little things that add up,” he said.
With all due respect, Mr President, it's difficult to
'Chill' when
9 of the 10 hottest years on record have come since 2000. When our
food production is starting to get hit by bizarre weather. And how can we
'Chill' when
rising seas place us in
danger of losing 30%-40% of our coastal wetlands. Millions of US coastal residents could become
climate refugees by 2050 if we remain on the current trajectory.
Mr. Clinton said he stood firmly behind President Obama in the coming election.
“Most of his policies have moved the country in the right direction,” he said. “I personally think we’re making a pretty good comeback.”
Obviously, the next election will be one of the most important in our species history. It is literally the choice between a possible solution to the most important issue of our time; climate change and a rejection that the issue even exists.