While the national and global financial meltdowns consume the news (along with a certain presidential election) these days, another looming global crisis needing to be dealt with likely will consume much of the next president's time and efforts. That is the economic and environmental need for the nation to make a dramatic shift in the way it creates and uses energy.
Simply put, there is an urgent need for the world to address man-made climate change and the United States must become the leader. Stepping to the front of that effort may not only save the world as we know it, but also change and save our crumbling economy.
While the push needs to come from the federal government, it was welcome news Thursday to hear the results of one state effort to reduce carbon emissions right here in Wisconsin. Gov. Jim Doyle on Thursday announced significant carbon reductions through the state's low-income weatherization program, Home Energy Plus. Between July 2006 and June 2007, Doyle announced, Home Energy Plus reduced carbon emissions in Wisconsin by more than 27,000 tons. That's the equivalent of taking 4,700 cars off Wisconsin highways.
During that period, the program made energy-efficient improvements to 9,223 low-income households. They were simple improvements. The program is part of Doyle's laudable goal of moving the state toward producing 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2025.
While early results from the program are promising, it's a reminder of the daunting task of reducing carbon emissions enough to reverse climate change. Experts quoted in Thomas Friedman's excellent new book, "Hot, Flat and Crowded" estimate that we need to avoid the emission of 200 billion tons of carbon between now and 2050. Put in the perspective of Doyle's announcement Thursday, that would require the equivalent of 7.4 million - yes, million - successful Home Energy Plus efforts.
A daunting task, indeed.
Simply put, there is an urgent need for the world to address man-made climate change and the United States must become the leader. Stepping to the front of that effort may not only save the world as we know it, but also change and save our crumbling economy.
While the push needs to come from the federal government, it was welcome news Thursday to hear the results of one state effort to reduce carbon emissions right here in Wisconsin. Gov. Jim Doyle on Thursday announced significant carbon reductions through the state's low-income weatherization program, Home Energy Plus. Between July 2006 and June 2007, Doyle announced, Home Energy Plus reduced carbon emissions in Wisconsin by more than 27,000 tons. That's the equivalent of taking 4,700 cars off Wisconsin highways.
During that period, the program made energy-efficient improvements to 9,223 low-income households. They were simple improvements. The program is part of Doyle's laudable goal of moving the state toward producing 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2025.
While early results from the program are promising, it's a reminder of the daunting task of reducing carbon emissions enough to reverse climate change. Experts quoted in Thomas Friedman's excellent new book, "Hot, Flat and Crowded" estimate that we need to avoid the emission of 200 billion tons of carbon between now and 2050. Put in the perspective of Doyle's announcement Thursday, that would require the equivalent of 7.4 million - yes, million - successful Home Energy Plus efforts.
A daunting task, indeed.
