What I Will Be Looking for at the Political Conventions

I've written before about the simple steps people can take to help reduce energy use and cut global warming pollution. To the list of things you can do--such as buying efficient air conditioners and pumping up your tires--I want to add one more: turn on your television and watch the political conventions.

How is that a global warming solution? Because the power of the individual to help curb climate change doesn't just lie in the energy and consumer choices you make. It also requires you to flex your political muscle as a voter.

We need to tell our representatives what we think. We need to email them, call them, or send them letters declaring that clean, affordable energy is a top priority for us.

But we also need to know where the candidates and their parties stand on the issues. That is where the television comes in.

In the next two weeks, I will be watching both conventions with a few pointed questions in my mind.

• These are the leaders of the parties. Are they talking about global warming?
• Are they focusing on solving the energy crisis?
• Do they take these issues seriously?
• Do they have global warming on the platform?
• Are global warming and clean energy a meaningful part of Obama's and McCain's speeches?

I encourage you to do the same. And remember what you learn when November rolls around.

Comments

[JohnKdrew]

Hi - good points!
I really agree with your view about there being lots of low hanging fruit to grab as we move to a low-carbon economy... however I wonder what you think about either Presidential hopeful on how close we are to needing climate change triage? Triage is applied in an emergency to allow the most globally beneficial use of inadequate resources. There will be severe climate disruptions, which will be left untreated because they will be recognized as able to recover autonomously. Selected climatical­ly-induced emergencies where tax-payers’ money can reduce suffering will be funded. Last, and most sadly, there may be even situations where unlimited funds cannot reverse impacts and the limited funds are deemed better deployed on other projects e.g.www.climatechangetriage.net

[petejo]

just released: the program for the republican convention:



"god bless america"--OPEC choir

"continuing the legacy: protecting america's natural wonders"--james watt, reagan's secy of interior

"developing a phantom army you can count on"--ceo, blackwater

"consolidating american media for a unified message"--chairman, FCC

"preparing for contested votes in swing districts"--alberto gonzales, attorney general (resigned)

"developing the facts to support an invasion of georgia, iran or north korea"--dick cheney

"not fascism, just coincidence: nazi germany in the 1930's and america under g.w."--ren­owned history professor, to be announced

PRESENTATION: karl rove, creativity in politics award

"keepin' 'em disenfranchised so they're available"--the honorable larry craig, senator, idaho (not running again), and senator trent lott, resigned u.s. senator.

"expanding exports by selling what's left: the brooklyn bridge and national parks timber"--donald trump

nomination acceptance speech "continuing american cowboy foreign policy. russia and iran, you'd better watch it"--grumpy mcsame


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