If there is one particularly clear thing the last 8-10 years have taught me about politics,
it’s that there are extremists on both sides of the aisle.
The Obama administration turned fossil fuel into an absolute dirty word
and the current administration is attempting to make anyone
who is concerned about climate change or keeping our air and drinking water safe
appear to be nothing more than liberal, hippie, environmentalists,
extreme activists or a player in some elaborate Chinese hoax.
Lets face it here gang,
While the majority of us certainly want
and should absolutely continue working hard towards clean air, clean water,
renewable energies and not having to worry about rising CO2 and seas,
most of us cannot yet afford an electric car that runs on a solar charger,
or to convert our homes to run on solar or wind electric.
We are getting there, but we are not there yet.
In the meantime we still need to fuel the car to get to work on time
and pick up the kids from their dance and karate classes.
Thus,
Here’s some common sense strategies going forward for all:
No matter the current administration denying
the impact rising carbon emissions is having on us all
“you” can and should still be working towards carbon reduction.
1. keep a close eye on what is happening in your state.
*Pay close attention to state & local elections.
Get educated on all candidates and be sure to vote
in ALL your county & state level elections.
Remember, many of the extremists in federal gov today
reached their posts because not enough people voted
in local & state elections to halt their progress to the top.
*Keep a close eye on industrial companies activities
and all requests for industrial permits in your state.
Albeit please remember, it is not fossil fuel unto itself that is the problem.
It is the CO2 it emits and the lack of sufficient
safety measures in place to protect air & water, wildlife,
fisheries and ultimately human health, during its extraction and production.
So please don’t yell at and bully that poor young fella
who took a job working on a pipeline or at a gas well site
just to keep a roof over his head.
In seeking respect for all
Be the change you wish to see and offer it to all.
Let us ALL teach our children well.
Our fight should be directly with companies & sub contractors
to invest in better equipment & methods,
more training and supervision for workers,
and most definitely Carbon Reduction technologies.
2.. DO YOUR INDIVIDUAL PART TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS
AND KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN!
*No matter if you’re age 16 or 60+,
When running light local errands
ride a bicycle and carry the bags on either side of its handle bars.
If you do not own a bicycle you can generally purchase one in decent shape
at a garage sale or thrift shop for around 20-30 dollars.
It not only saves gas money, reduces emissions, but aides in your health.
*Bring re-usable canvas bags to do your grocery shopping.
The plastic faeries didn’t create the pacific garbage patch.
We did!
*Shut off lights and unplug appliances at home when not in use.
Too many of us leave a light on in the hallway all day
just so we don’t have to return to a dark home at night
instead of simply purchasing an inexpensive,
easy to install, timer for house lights.
*Replace as many lights fixtures as possible inside and outside your home
with longer lasting, more efficient, energy star rated, LEDs.
* Talk to your neighbors
about forming car pools where ever possible.
In our neighborhood, there are grocery carpools,
work carpools, & school extra curricular activity pools.
*For any home owner who can afford to do so,
Heat proof your rooftop.
Lighter shingle color & material
that better reflects/repels sunlight
will reduce how often your central air system kicks on
during the summer.
You will be pleasantly surprised how much money you will save
when you combine the above simple practices.
*Support businesses that operate eco & climate responsible,
sustainable, practices.
Be quick to praise and encourage each genuinely
impactful step ‘any’ business makes
towards a healthier safer future for all our children, even if its not enough.
(Remember the silly old school saying:
“You’ll catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar”).
*Learn about Community Solar projects https://solstice.us/ .
Host informal hangouts with your neighbors to discuss if
this is a viable option where you reside and how you can get
others interested in the project.
Their are many solar professionals out there
willing to help you with that free of charge.
* Get educated about climate change and educate your children.
We cannot teach our children to be good stewards of the planet
if we ourselves remain ignorant.
Newscience101 