2007.03.28: March 28, 2007: Headlines: Figures: COS - India: NGO's: Sierra Club: Environment: Global Warming: The Mountain Mail: Carl Pope writes: 2-percent solution for global warming
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2007.03.28: March 28, 2007: Headlines: Figures: COS - India: NGO's: Sierra Club: Environment: Global Warming: The Mountain Mail: Carl Pope writes: 2-percent solution for global warming
Carl Pope writes: 2-percent solution for global warming
In a move last week that should have reverberations across the country, a power company in Kansas City entered a binding contract with the Sierra Club to entirely offset carbon dioxide emissions (a major source of global warming pollution) from a new coal-fired power plant. The company also committed to unprecedented investments in renewables, such as wind power and energy efficiency, and to work to change utility regulations in Kansas and Missouri to ensure that by 2020, Kansas City Power and Light reduces its emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 percent. The agreement represents a new standard for utilities and sends a strong signal the coal rush is beginning to slow. The agreement is a win for environments, for the company and for residents of the area. It's the latest sign smart solutions such as wind power and energy efficiency are gathering momentum and popularity - and make economic sense. The good news is we can prevent the most catastrophic effects of warming if we reduce our carbon emissions by 2 percent each year through 2050 - this is achievable when individuals, government and businesses work together. And the news gets even better, because creating technology and new industries to tackle the challenge will create more jobs and boost the economy. Sierra Club President Carl Pope served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in India in the 1960's.
Carl Pope writes: 2-percent solution for global warming
2-percent solution for global warming
Guest Opinion
by Carl Pope
As former Senator and Vice President Al Gore repeated during his recent triumphant return to Capitol Hill, global warming is not only the greatest environmental challenge of our generation, but of generations to come.
We've all seen the news reports about melting glaciers, suffering polar bears and the other effects of warming we're starting to experience.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed when confronted with the very serious consequences awaiting us and future generations, as outlined in numerous reports. Fortunately, we have the technology to tackle global warming. It's merely a matter of everyone stepping up and doing his or her part.
In a move last week that should have reverberations across the country, a power company in Kansas City entered a binding contract with the Sierra Club to entirely offset carbon dioxide emissions (a major source of global warming pollution) from a new coal-fired power plant.
The company also committed to unprecedented investments in renewables, such as wind power and energy efficiency, and to work to change utility regulations in Kansas and Missouri to ensure that by 2020, Kansas City Power and Light reduces its emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 percent.
The agreement represents a new standard for utilities and sends a strong signal the coal rush is beginning to slow. The agreement is a win for environments, for the company and for residents of the area. It's the latest sign smart solutions such as wind power and energy efficiency are gathering momentum and popularity - and make economic sense.
The good news is we can prevent the most catastrophic effects of warming if we reduce our carbon emissions by 2 percent each year through 2050 - this is achievable when individuals, government and businesses work together. And the news gets even better, because creating technology and new industries to tackle the challenge will create more jobs and boost the economy.
Solving global warming will certainly require action at the federal level. However, there are many ways we all can be part of the "2 percent solution."
More and more cities and states throughout the country are also moving quickly to be part of the solution. Several Western states in addition to a group of Northeastern states have agreed to implement mandatory reductions in carbon emissions.
At the local level, more than 400 mayors are taking the lead in fighting global warming by signing the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement.
They are greening their city fleets with hybrids and other highly efficient vehicles - cutting carbon emissions and fuel bills. They are also working to make sure green power from sources like wind and solar is available and that government buildings are designed (or upgraded) to use energy as efficiently as possible.
Being part of the "2 percent solution" can start at home. It may sound like a cliché to some, but simply replacing your old-fashioned incandescent bulbs with modern, energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs can make a big difference.
Not only do they last longer, but their highly efficient design means you'll spend less on energy every month. If every family in America changed five light bulbs, it would be like taking 8 million cars off the road.
Making sure you buy the most energy-efficient appliances - everything from TVs to dishwashers to air conditioners - will also shrink your carbon footprint right along with your energy bills.
And while upgrading your cars, appliances, and things like the windows in your house are certainly not as easy as changing a light bulb, federal, state, and local governments offer thousands in tax incentives to help offset the initial cost of many such investments.
Finally, you can help fight global warming at home by making sure the power you use comes from clean, renewable sources like wind and solar. Most utilities offer green power alternatives. By purchasing green power, you'll be reducing your carbon footprint and helping jumpstart development of renewable energy resources.
Earth Day, April 22, is not far away. By working together to be a part of the "2 percent solution," we can make sure the next generation will have as beautiful a day in 2050.
Carl Pope is executive director of Sierra Club, America's oldest grassroots environmental organization. Column distributed by MinutemanMedia.org.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: March, 2007; RPCV Carl Pope (India); Figures; Peace Corps India; Directory of India RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for India RPCVs; NGO's; Environment; Global Warming
When this story was posted in April 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Chris Dodd's Vision for the Peace Corps Senator Chris Dodd (RPCV Dominican Republic) spoke at the ceremony for this year's Shriver Award and elaborated on issues he raised at Ron Tschetter's hearings. Dodd plans to introduce legislation that may include: setting aside a portion of Peace Corps' budget as seed money for demonstration projects and third goal activities (after adjusting the annual budget upward to accommodate the added expense), more volunteer input into Peace Corps operations, removing medical, healthcare and tax impediments that discourage older volunteers, providing more transparency in the medical screening and appeals process, a more comprehensive health safety net for recently-returned volunteers, and authorizing volunteers to accept, under certain circumstances, private donations to support their development projects. He plans to circulate draft legislation for review to members of the Peace Corps community and welcomes RPCV comments. |
| He served with honor One year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor. |
| Peace Corps' Screening and Medical Clearance The purpose of Peace Corps' screening and medical clearance process is to ensure safe accommodation for applicants and minimize undue risk exposure for volunteers to allow PCVS to complete their service without compromising their entry health status. To further these goals, PCOL has obtained a copy of the Peace Corps Screening Guidelines Manual through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and has posted it in the "Peace Corps Library." Applicants and Medical Professionals (especially those who have already served as volunteers) are urged to review the guidelines and leave their comments and suggestions. Then read the story of one RPCV's journey through medical screening and his suggestions for changes to the process. |
| The Peace Corps is "fashionable" again The LA Times says that "the Peace Corps is booming again and "It's hard to know exactly what's behind the resurgence." PCOL Comment: Since the founding of the Peace Corps 45 years ago, Americans have answered Kennedy's call: "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." Over 182,000 have served. Another 200,000 have applied and been unable to serve because of lack of Congressional funding. The Peace Corps has never gone out of fashion. It's Congress that hasn't been keeping pace. |
| PCOL readership increases 100% Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come. |
| History of the Peace Corps PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help. |
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Story Source: The Mountain Mail
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - India; NGO's; Sierra Club; Environment; Global Warming
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