The Environment And Energy

The Environment And Energy

There is broad acceptance among Americans on the importance of protecting the environment. Protection of our air, water, open spaces and wilderness is critical to maintaining the quality of life for future generations of Americans. There is substantial evidence we have taken large steps backwards on this subject the last six years.

As an engineer, I enthusiastically agree with the call from many of America's top science leaders that our generation's "moon shot" should be a massive commitment to find alternative sources for our energy needs in the next ten years. It needs to be a broad-based approach, collaborating with scientists worldwide, and including conservation, acceleration of nuclear fusion research, solar and wind power, fuel cells, coal gasification, and better utilization of lower polluting natural gas. Utah has great reserves of these last two resources. A program like this could dramatically reduce future greenhouse gas emissions, stop our massive trade deficits, and eliminate the main source of the terrorists' financial resources. Halting the flow of massive oil revenues into the hands of Middle Eastern despots, not preemptive war, is the most effective way to promote democracy in the Middle East and halt terrorism. And like President Kennedy's vision of going to the moon, this would be the catalyst to help inspire our young people to become the next generation of scientists and engineers our country needs to sustain our prosperity in the new, "flatter" world created by globalization.

http://www.steveolsen.org/issues/enviro.htm