Just finished watching Pres. Obamas State of Union Address and felt moved to write him about 1 aspect of his speech: climate change/renewable energy vs. fossil fuel industry. The words were encouraging....now for the action part! I am sharing my letter with you and would love to hear what you think..... Dear President Obama: I just finished listening to your State of Union address and was deeply encouraged by a number of things you said. In particular, you recognized that “climate change is a fact,” and cited some of the already-observed environmental consequences of it. This has given me hope. Further, you stated that we need to encourage development and use of new [renewable] sources of energy, in part by redirecting to this effort the $4 billion now being given to the fossil fuel industry. You additionally stated that we need to do more in the area of energy conservation, including improving fuel efficiency of our trucks, while “protecting our environment,” and reducing the carbon pollution that has been pushing climate change. Listening to your strong language regarding environmental protection and climate change, I now expect you to not approve the Keystone XL pipeline. Extremely unstable and dirty, tar sands oil already spilled in Arkansas and Missouri last year. These were examples of what will likely happen with a pipeline crossing the U.S. from Alberta, Canada to Houston, Texas (by use of various extensions). Additionally, it would create few permanent, high-quality jobs (another point in your speech tonight), and not be used for energy needs in this country. On the other hand, investing in high-tech jobs in the renewable energy field would do much more to help employment, while helping future generations live on this planet. Please act boldly, in addition to speaking boldly. Please drastically reduce all greenhouse gases, in part by imposing “clean-up” fines for industries emitting this type of pollution (i.e. the carbon tax), stimulate the continued research, development and implementation of renewable energy sources, and do more to encourage energy conservation, in part by reducing nationwide speed limits to 55 mph, as well as further improvement of energy-efficiency automobile standards. My husband and I bought a 2011 Toyota Prius, and are averaging 58 mpg, not only because of how the car has been designed, but because of how we drive it! As you said, we will have to answer to our children and children’s children when they ask us what we did at this pivotal point in the history of our earth. Did we act irresponsibly for short-term greed or did we love them and all life forms enough to begin, in a significant way, to heal the earth? I support you as you move boldly to do just that. Sincerely, Ruth Pauly cc: Senator Ron Johnson, Senator Tammy Baldwin
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 05:34:34 +0000
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