Happy Earth Day

[H2O Man]

From: Press & Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton NY




GUEST VIEWPOINT
On Earth Day, here is an energy plan for our future

By Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley

The time for talk is over. It's not enough to simply declare that "America is addicted to oil." What we need is real, immediate action to save our planet. The problem is that the energy policy of this country supports, and in many cases bolsters, an oil-based energy infrastructure that is unsustainable. As we come together to celebrate Earth Day this year, we are sadly realizing that this country's and the world's dependence on oil is giving us a lot less to celebrate than we have in the past. But there is a reason to celebrate: the real and present problem of global warming is finally resonating around the world. People are recognizing that we don't have much time left to act before it's too late.

I don't mean to be an alarmist, but rather a realist. The United States is set up to run on oil. During much of the last century that made sense. In the year 2007, when we can make a car run on energy from the sun, stalks of corn or hydrogen -- with the only byproduct being a few drops of water -- it makes no sense at all. As we celebrate Earth Day this year, our country must make an immediate and full commitment to turn away from oil and all fossil fuels and move toward renewable, clean energy.

The shift away from oil won't happen overnight. It will take decades to fully implement and will have to be on the scale of the Manhattan Project. But the positive effects of reduced oil dependence, which will start to be felt almost immediately, will put this country on a course toward much more prosperous and secure times. Creating an infrastructure that is based around clean sources of energy is a critical step in tackling global warming since carbon emissions are the key cause of global warming. Investing in alternative energy will also help us achieve independence from unstable regions of the world, particularly the Middle East. Right now, the United States is propping up undemocratic, repressive regimes in that part of the world, some of which serve as breeding grounds for terrorists. Why are we doing this? Simply because those countries have oil and we have an infrastructure set up to run on oil. Our country's national security is at risk because of our dependence. This is not good. In fact, it's downright dangerous.

In addition to the environmental and national security benefits, investing in cutting-edge, innovative energy technologies will create an enormous new sector in our economy with good-paying jobs. I think New York can play a critical role in the development and proliferation of alternative energy across the county and the world, which will be a major boon to our state's economy. By harnessing the brilliance of our business leaders and the brain power that exists in and around New York's colleges and universities, we can establish our state as the renewable energy leader. The tech revolution created Silicon Valley in California and the alternative energy revolution has the opportunity to create a Green Valley in New York. ......

more at:

http://pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070422/OPINION/704220317/1005/OPINION

Enjoy the day.
Your Friend,
H2O Man

[LaurenG]

1. Great reminder - Earth Day!

:thumbsup:

[DemReadingDU]

2. Earth Day, Thanks for the reminder!

[Blue Belle]

3. Does anyone else find it ironic....

that Earth Day happens to fall on Oppenheimer's birthday?

[stevedeshazer]

4. Happy Earth Day, H2O Man

I'm going out to smell the flowers and remember the first Earth Day 37 years ago. We built a nature trail.

[Gregorian]

5. America's not addicted to oil. We're DEPENDENT on oil.

I've always hated earth day. Have you ever tried to ride your bike to an earth day festival? Try it and see how many cars you have to avoid on the way.

Sorry. I'm pretty pissed off about this subject. I kind of sort of want off this planet right about now.



edit- Part of why I'm not more optimistic is that HALF of the oil we use (20 million barrels per day) is not for combustion purposes. It's for STUFF. We won't be weening ourselves off of oil any time soon.


Edit- I was at the first earth day. I guess I should say, as if it isn't already apparent, that at this point in time it seems nothing but hypocritical to even have the stinking thing. But that's from someone who still hasn't gotten over the fact that we couldn't get off our asses and join the metric system. Stupid!


Edit 2- Yes, I do have moments of happiness. I know someone who just opened a bar in San Francisco that caters to bicyclists. He has bike racks on the walls. Vegan sausages. Beer. It's a place that values bikes. Now if we could have a society that wasn't crazy over DRIVING fucking cars everywhere, I'd start to evolve a new attitude toward it. Let's value something wonderful, like biking. No gasoline. Fresh air. Meeting people instead of being separated by glass and steel. Still don't know why I'm pissed? I don't have the time to even begin to get into it here. But earth day is a joke.

[lyonn]

6. Hey, I'm doing my part by not using weed killer anymore.

Does that count? Also have part of our land dedicated to an endangered species. No big deal but the organization, OK Natural Areas Registry, goes to the nesting sites and does their best to protect them during nesting.

But, it is open season on coyotes. They have killed so many peoples' pets in our area it is spooky.

[lovuian]

7. To everybody a Wonderful Earth Day

Its a beautiful place to live

[Cha]

8. 7th Recommend~ Seven colors in the

Rainbow~ That's a very inviting picture of the flowing creek on such a beautiful day here in New York, H20 Man!

[YankeyMCC]

9. Ok everyone stop posting on DU and

get out and enjoy the Earth today! ;)

Happy Earth Day everyone.

[Octafish]

10. Nice planet we got here.

We're lucky to have such a nice home.



Happy Earth Day, Mr. H20 Man and to all DU!

[Annces]

11. Happy Earth Day H2O Man

[midnight]

12. Happy Earth Day to you! I started my garden today.

I have two of them, but started one of them today. My favorite things to grow are cucumbers and tomatoes. I will take my beagle for a walk later, but must rest. It was hot out there today, and I did alot of work. Went to the Green Festival in Chicago yesterday. A term that seemed prevalent form many of the products that were on display was fair trade. I enjoyed it and was very aware of how calm and peaceful this large group of people were.

[bleever]

13. Pic from Earth Day celebration in Golden Gate Park,

Stephen Marley, Ratdog, and more.

An especially nice "Dear Prudence" from Ratdog, and lots of smiling and dancing in a crowd of thousands that turned out for a free concert as part of the multi-city Green Apple Music and Arts Festival.



Happy Earth Day to everyone! We're going to make sure it's taken care of.

[eppur_se_muova]

14. I have to quibble with one point..."During much of the last century that made sense."

Not really, and certainly not to the point of going so far as we did. It made a lot of sense from the point of view of a small group of people trying to line their pockets with sums of money so vast as to be almost inconceivable to the average Earthian. The fact that it wasn't sustainable was of no interest to them, but the rest of us should have known better and acted accordingly. That would include not allowing our government to be sold to the oleocracy.