A recent post on Gristmill suggests there's a new point of view developing among the pundits:

Global warming is happening, but there is nothing we can do about it.

Au contraire.

There's a lot we can do to significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. To give up without even trying would be irresponsible and morally wrong. Incredibly selfish is another term that comes to mind when I think of those folks who flaunt their wasteful ways at the expense of the atmosphere (think idling vehicles, excessive holiday light displays, heated driveways, etc.)

According to Gristmill:

…There are several plans and programs on the table that claim to be able to meet that goal (reduce global GHG emissions by around 80% by 2050) without sparking global economic recession, and without relying on coal or nuclear power.

Here are the links to a few forward-thinking reports that debunk the defeatists' point of view and provide positive, action-oriented ways out of the current climate change morass:

• energy (r)evolution provides a practical blueprint for cutting CO2 emissions while allowing for an increase in energy consumption
• Tackling Climate Change in the U.S. reports on a variety of ways to fight global warming
• and WorldChanging comments on the concept of "stabilization wedges"

Closer to home, one need look no farther than the recent efforts to form a joint board to work with Town and County politicians and staff to improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions in all government operations.

To paraphrase Jackson Mayor Mark Barron's closing thought last Sunday: "pick a plan and take a step."

Carbon Neutral Journal's thoughts are brought to you by Hawtin Jorgensen Architects.

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