Gore's Goal: What You and I Can Do

In case you missed it, Al Gore gave a speech today [video here] in which he challenged America to transition entirely off carbon-based fuels for 100% of the nation's electricity generation within the next 10 years. Certainly, it is a bold challenge from a bold leader. It is a challenge worthy of this country and one which I think its citizens are ready -- if not eager -- to take on.

But good gravy! One-hundred percent renewable electricity in 10 years? Wha? Who? Can I help? Where do I begin? I have bills to pay! Student loans to worry about! I can't take on the government! The elected officials across all branches of our federal government have shown that they are either so totally tied to the oil industry that they'll never budge, or they're too politically-minded to take any bold action lest they upset 2% of their voting bloc. Depending on the feds hasn't been a reliable tactic for some time.

Nor will it be. I'm sorry to say it, but even if the next President has an aggressive, forward-thinking energy policy, it will meet roadblocks at every turn. Entrenched interests and stubborn politicians will continue to fight to squeeze maximum profit out of every last drop of oil until it's gone. So...uh...yeah. That's hard.

In order to achieve this monumental task, we Americans will have to think small -- not globally, not nationally, not even statewide. This begins with your town. Your house. Your car. You. And me.

Gore's challenge will not inspire un-inspirable politicians to act. Nor will it inspire businessmen to forgo millions of dollars of profit to uproot an energy industry. It can however, inspire each of us down here on the grassroots level to take responsibility for the energy we use in our own lives and local communities. Begin this fight by taking on the challenge of launching renewable energy initiatives in your town. Why not solar panels on the school gym? A wind tower on the hill? Geothermal heat pumps around the block? There's so much money to be saved, energy to be cleaned up, and community spirit to be built.

The citizens of Boulder, Colorado and Sandpoint, Idaho, for example, have already declared their towns to be "transition towns." Transition Town Movement founder Rob Hopkins, of Totnes, England, has written a guidebook for citizens aching to act.

The days of merely changing light bulbs, inflating your car tires, and turning down the A/C are over. Gore has challenged us to take the next steps:

• local action for local energy production,


• electing leaders committed to this cause in every election (local and national),


• and shedding our fear of taking the lead.

If ever there were a day to post a flier at the post office to organize a meeting of your community, this is it.

J.S. McDougall is the lead blogger at Chelsea Green--a publisher of renewable energy and sustainable living books since 1984.

Follow J.S. McDougall on Twitter: www.twitter.com/chelseagreen

Comments

[Simran Sethi - Huffpost Blogger]

Great post. I would also add that smaller home conservation measures are key - and far more accessible - for the average person.

[ImmanuelGoldstein]

Personally I don't think it's doable, but I'm willing to look at the math.
The problem is that I have my doubts whether the present American culture is capable of assimilating this debate. A national energy policy can't be fit onto a bumper sticker or a 20 second soundbyte, yet we seem unable to deal with ideas on any higher level.

Unfortunately history shows that Americans will not deal with this issue unless forced to by unavoidable realities and the onset of a major crisis. Sad and dangerous but true.

[NCGigi]

Electric companies should be mandated to cover their right of way access easements for transmission lines with solar collectors. That's space that could be used to collect the rays of the sun. The electric companies already have a mandate to keep the transmission lines cleared of vegetation, so now they should use that space to collect the power of the sun.

[Pquilson]

You do realize, I hope, that nearly everything electric companies do are "rate-based". That means that they are able to pass costs to rate payers.
I am working on a transmission line project as we speak. It is a sub line which is 25 miles long, and 125 feet wide. How many solar collectors can be placed in that area. How much does each one cost? How many land owners would like their livestock pastures covered in solar collectors instead of the livestock? Do you know the difference between fee ownership and easments? From your post, I assume that you do not.

[research]

One thing some individuals can do is to purchase wind generators. Just search for them on the internet, they are currently economically viable even for less than 1000$, but ya got to have the wind, look up wind power in your area. Get the plug in Hybrids for your next car. Solar water heaters are also good in many areas. Watch for the sub 1$ per watt solar cells. They are not available retail yet, but they should be in a year or two. see my profile.

[Cathexis]

Good suggestions, but it also raises another battlefront that we should all gear up to fight against: Home Owner Associations! Those who mandate lush green lawns of monoculture grass, even during droughts and try to levy fines if you use natiuve plants or dare to hand a clothesline in your backyard rather than use a dryer.

[research]

That's where government can help by passing laws.