Ending Fossil Fuels Is Not Enough to Save the Planet!

 











I really liked the article in the Baltimore Sun Feb 6 titled, "Forecast calls for pain", by Mike Tidwell. I truly believe in phasing out the carbon fuels and relying more on renewable energy. Putting a price on carbon is a great way to force out fossil fuels; an idea I had heard about first from as a Green Economy or Green Tax idea. A Green Economy is based upon taxing the "sin" companies and giving benefits to the green companies.

Having lived and traveled extensively in Germany I know that the US is way behind in truly living green and sustainably. In Germany renewable energy is booming, many people commute via mass transit, trains are a viable option to go anywhere in Europe, bicycling is very popular, organic stores are everywhere, extensive pedestrian walking zones in their cities, public parks make cities beautiful, recycling everything is very common, and people don't consume as much. Us Americans drive our cars way too much, we consume way too much, we waste way too much, we eat too much fast food, we don't exercise enough, all leading to an unhealthy population and a failing planet. However, as a whole, western societies are way too consuming and wasteful.

However, I think while most people in the US believe that humans are causing global warming, and that our abundant consumption of fossil fuels is largely to blame for this, most people don't know how to change and may be afraid of change, especially if it means a lower standard of living. Perhaps, environmentalists need to talk more about what life will really be like living without fossil fuels, since I think few people can imagine what this really means.

Also, I believe I had read an article Mike Tidwell had written a few years ago, extolling the virtues of becoming vegetarian or vegan, since these diets lower a person's carbon footprint tremendously. There was no mention of this idea in this recent article.

And, what about the massive consumerist lifestyle that many people live here in the US, whose psychology of all consuming without thinking about the repercussions is also a major contributor to the planet's demise?

It would be great if environmental thinkers would write more about the other issues affecting the health of our world than just the evils of fossil fuels.

I really appreciate Mike Tidwell's and his group's, the Chespeake Climate Action Network, efforts to make positive changes for our planet. Keep up the great work!