On behalf of everyone who breathes, I would like to congratulate the United
States House of Representatives for passing the American Clean Energy and
Security Act on June 26, 2009. Likewise, to every member of Congress who voted
against it, I cry Shame! Shame! Shame!
Given the name of this blog and its body of content, my attitude toward those
myopic congressmen who voted against clean air for future generations should
come as no surprise. However, there is a specific element of the argument
against this historic bill which I would like to address. When foes of progress
realized that the bill had a 50/50 chance of passing, they pulled out all the
stops. They organized a telephone campaign which brought the Capitol switchboard
to a halt. To that I have no objection, per se, as democracy is about assuring
that everyone has a voice. However, what bothered me greatly was the type of
misinformation which opponents convinced their mouthpieces on Capitol Hill and
beyond to spew.
Opponents of the American Clean Energy and Security Act had the unmitigated gall
to claim that the technology for widespread carbon sequestration does not exist
yet. Baloney! The opposite is true! In fact, since launching this blog in
2007, I have spent quite a bit of time covering reforestation and the varied and
variegated reforestation projects which span the globe. While planting millions
of acres of trees in order to return the carbon content of the planet’s
atmosphere to levels not seen since the Industrial Revolution may not be as
futuristic as burying tons of carbon in abandoned mines, I can assure you that
it is every bit as valuable to the larger effort of fighting global warming.
Moreover, projects which support the halting of deforestation, which has a
similar effect in terms of carbon sequestration as does reforestation, can have
a more direct benefit to humanity than simply planting trees. To wit,
I encourage you to read my recent thread on the Kyoto Box. You also may find
that you enjoy perusing the
reforestation category for additional inspiration and perspective.
In the coming weeks, as the United States Senate begins its work on the American
Clean Energy and Security Act, let’s all remember that carbon sequestration on a
mass scale can begin immediately. The only element missing from current projects
in order to expand their reach is money, funds which will be generated by the
passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act and enactment by President
Obama.
Fomenting the Triple Bottom Line
Corbett Kroehler
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