The first part of the solution to the common problem of inaction on global warming and voter apathy is occurring organically. That is, the populace is taking it upon itself to think globally and act locally.
Hundreds and hundreds of cities, as well as several states and regions of the United States, have taken action to reduce their contribution to climate change, all the while stabilizing their energy supplies, saving money for their taxpayers and modernizing their energy infrastructure so that it can withstand the harsher weather systems of the future.
As a resident of a state which has taken only baby steps in that direction, I applaud those vanguards. They are on the right course and deserve our praise and support.
Likewise, the business community, sometimes on its own and sometimes in coordination with President Bill Clinton’s global initiative, has made great strides and are to be commended.
BP, Citi, GE, and Virgin, to name a few, are investing billions of dollars to reduce their carbon footprint today and blaze (no pun intended) the trail for new, green products and technologies of the near future.
While imperfect, these efforts are most praiseworthy and I encourage readers to add a company's pollution politicies to their buying decision process. Nevertheless, the aforementioned noble efforts are inadequate. We can and must demand much more.
The second part of the solution, however, that of returning the United States to the climate change process of the United Nations and bilateral pollution agreements, must occur in Washington and will not occur until we stock the Congress with patriots who are shielded from hard-core lobbying (more on that in a moment) and understand the stakes of inaction, as laid out in my previous post, Irreparable Harm.
Yes, I offer a shameless plug because my quest to replace the Bush rubberstamp currently representing Greater Orlando on Capitol Hill is based on mobilizing the grassroots and shunning direct contributions from political action committees (PACs) (details at www.CorbettForCongress.com).
However, my main point is much broader: the answer to the common problem of inaction on global warming and rampant voter apathy begins in the same spot, among the people.
As we enter yet another election cycle, the time for action is right now, today. Yes, the main focus of reversing the climate crisis must be Washington but good candidates for those jobs begin their political career on city councils, school boards and in the state legislatures.
After all, state legislators draw congressional districts so it’s only fitting. I call on all my readers to invite their friends, neighbors and kin to think about running for office. If they agree, support them in every way you can.
If we start now, we can stock elected offices with people who understand that global warming must be our top priority because failure to do so will hinder every other good government effort.
The climate crisis is the greatest threat facing the United States.
Why is it a greater threat than terrorism?
Because it affects the entire nation at once and cannot be vanquished by military might or mollified by diplomacy.
How do we negotiate with the wind? How do we order a fleet admiral to fire upon rising seas?
We the people have created this problem and we the people must solve it.
I am a candidate because I received a call to run in 2004 from Governor Howard Dean. At the time, I did not heed him but eventually came to realize that he knew what he was talking about.
You can read the whole story in my campaign treatise, Progressive Pathway Volume 1. Purchase details may be found at www.ProgressivePathway.com
Sustainable Justice For All!
Corbett Kroehler
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