August 16, 2008
Environmental Action Plan
Global warming is a subject that has been thrown around for many years now. The debate is still going on as to how much of a problem global warming is and when it will really start to impact us.
Well I can tell you the answers to those questions are huge and now. Just look at the polar bears who are facing extinction because the ice that they rest on is disappearing. Or the fact that subtle (and not so subtle) season changes are making it harder to grow certain crops because the planting seasons and last frost times are different. Look at the increase in natural disasters across the globe and you can tell that Mother Nature is pretty pissed.
While we can do at lot on our own to help the environment, it is important that our government also start taking this issue seriously and not just because we are running out of oil.
- Support Incentives For Businesses And Home Owners To “Go Green” – While the federal and many state governments already have some incentives for going green, it’s currently a reimbursement type of credit. Instead the government should be willing to supply a certificate for a certain amount to homeowners in order to help offset the upfront costs. Also building codes should be changed to take passive heating and cooling into consideration.
- Strengthen the recycling laws – Most cities in my state have mandatory recycling programs but the programs don’t accept everything that can be recycled. Also if you own an apartment with more than a certain number of units you are exempt from the recycling law (which doesn’t make sense since more people would equal more waste) The laws should be changed so that the largest amount of recyclable waste is collected, not just the waste that is profitable to recycle.
- Reduce Dependence On Non-Renewable Fuels – yes it would be very expensive to start putting solar panels on every house and build wind turbines to power whole cities – but it needs to be done. We have to start thinking about the energy we are using in every little thing we do. As a country we have to demand that our government stand up to the Oil companies and tell them that we are going to find a better way and they can either put their money in the pool and be part of it or fight it and get left in the cold.
Read other sites to find out more about how to be green and save the planet.
