Unless we act now, our children will pay a heavy price.
From a Mercury News editorial, 3/24/06:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/14176241.htm
Don't wait for Bush on climate change
DESPITE LACK OF WHITE HOUSE LEADERSHIP, TIME TO ACT ON GLOBAL WARMING
IS NOW
Mercury News Editorial
President Bush has long been out of step with the leaders of developed
nations on global warming.
He was virtually alone in refusing to support the Kyoto Protocol and
to endorse mandatory reductions of emissions of greenhouse gases,
which contribute to the earth's rising temperatures.
Bush has also been out of step with many of the nation's governors,
including Arnold Schwarzenegger, who are calling for forceful action
to combat global warming.
And increasingly, Bush is out of step with the American people.
A poll released Thursday is the latest to report that a large majority
of Americans believe global warming is a real problem.
And unlike the president, they are willing to do something about it.
The poll, conducted by a respected Republican pollster, found that
concern about global warming crosses party lines.
More Democrats and independents than Republicans believe that human
activity is causing global temperatures to rise.
But by a more than 2-1 ratio, members of all three groups believe it
is possible to reduce the effects of global warming.
And about eight of every 10 people surveyed say they are willing to
take individual actions to cut their own energy consumption.
These include lowering thermostat settings in winter and raising them
in summer, washing clothes in cold water and choosing energy-efficient
vehicles, light bulbs and appliances.
Walking, biking or taking mass transit instead of driving are other
ideas that got a hearty endorsement.
Indeed, individuals can and should do their part, and these kinds of
measures would be a great start.
But it isn't likely to happen without steady reminders.
And unfortunately, they're not going to come from our president.
So Environmental Defense, a national non-profit organization, has
teamed up with the Ad Council to produce a series of television and
radio ads to remind us that global warming is everyone's problem.
The Ad Council was behind such effective media campaigns as Smokey
Bear and ``Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk.''
One TV ad portrays global warming as a ticking bomb, another as a
freight train barreling toward us at full speed.
The message: Unless we act now, our children will pay a heavy price.
President Bush may tune them out, but a strong majority of Americans
of all political persuasions are already getting the message.
If enough of us take responsibility and act, we can not only make a
difference but also send a message to Washington that this nation
needs to get serious about fighting global warming.
_______________________________________________________
Harry
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