Things That Make You Go Green

Today I read an article explaining that according to NASA scientists, “due to global warming, glaciers on Greenland are slipping into the ocean twice as fast as they were just five years ago.” It’s not hard to find evidence both anectotal and empirical that global warming is happening, and this is just one example. As the panda in my sister Ann’s favorite joke would say, “look it up.”

But what to do? Those of us who know about the problem can do what we can (which is why we started this humble blog), but uncoordinated action of a few people won’t be enough. After all, as we sit here we counting recyclables and installing a few fluorescent bulbs, Dick Cheney is pushing drilling for more oil in Alaska, Greenland is melting and the ocean is rising.

It is often said that “in democracy you get the leadership you deserve.” Therefore, I think it should be part of anyone’s Global Warming Action Plan to make sure that we elect leaders who are committed to the environment, and whose actions back up their promises. One thing we can all do is to write to our elected officials and let them know that we will hold them accountable if they don’t act. (in the US, you can find your elected officials here) We can also make ourselves heard with other political action. I must admit I’m still learning about all the things we can do, but stopglobalwarming.org seems like a good place to start. We’ll be posting more on this later.

But the reality is that global problems like this need global solutions, and global solutions require strong leadership. Which brings me to Al Gore. Since the 2000 election, it’s become increasingly clear that Al Gore has been right about the right things, long before others have been. As the San Jose Mercury News points out in this editorial, “on the issues that most Americans … care about - the war, the fragile state of the Earth, the transforming power of technology - Gore has been out front, resolute and right.”

But this is an enviornmental blog, and on the enviornment, Gore has been a strong visionary leader on global warming, from the time George Bush senior (who should be embarrased now) called him “ozone man,” to now, where Al Gore has almost singlehandedly brought global warming to the forefront of the public consciousness. Electing Al Gore would be a strong signal to the country and to the rest of the world that we are serious about this issue.

So in summary, dear readers, don’t forget to include political action. And maybe if your political action includes contacting Al Gore, he’ll hear us. To quote the Merc, “bide your time, Al Gore, as Bobby Kennedy did in ‘68. The campaign is too long as it is. But don’t waver when the moment comes.”