That was the question—with respect to the global problems we currently face—that Tom Brokaw posed to the spectacular panel at "Enhancing the U.S.'s Role in the World," sponsored by t
Invest serious money (10s of billions of dollars) in renewable energy - solar and wind, not "ethanol". Stop giving tax breaks to oil companies. We need to be 100% independent from foreign oil from unstable countries and we need to stop global warming.
The next president should do two things: first, he should begin the move to a completely renewable energy electrical system, one that uses sunlight and wind to provide all the energy we need for electricity. Second, he should be blunt with the public that, in order for energy efficiency to play the role that it can, we need to tax carbon. This will actually stimulate the economy and will put us on the road to decreasing carbon and solving the climate crisis.
Senator Gravel's National Initiative for Democracy would be a great start, along with a comprehensive Universal Healthcare plan, withdrawal from imperialist campaigns in the Middle East, and a huge degree of investment in renewable energy sources.
On Day One, the future president should start making public televised appeals to rich investors and all who are invested in oil to follow the example of the Rockefellers and demand a board that will invest in renewables. I hope you realize that the oil companies can be squeezed too, if they're squeezed by the right people in the right way. Here's the perfect way to do it: publicly commend the Rockefellers for their actions and encourage all investors to follow suit. Period.
What we need right now is to create as many incentives for renewable energy as there currently are for polluting energy (i.e. nuclear, fossil fuels). These would be paid by removing subsidies from those polluting energy sources that have failed us.
The big obstacle to widespread renewable energy is distribution. The government needs to launch an ambitious transmission like beef-up project to ensure that every American has access to renewable energy.
Energy efficiency to reduce what we need.
Set out a systematic PEACE agenda and demonstrate by doing: humane treatment of POWs, Renewable Energy Economic Agenda, Reform Immigration and Equal Educational and Economic Opportunity For ALL -- starting with the poorest of the poor! (www.itallstartedwithahat.com)
We do have renewable energy. Solar and wind. Why has America lagged in these areas of advancement. Please put more funding and energy into these areas. I understand that the "Big" companies have donated and supported politics with their contributions and have kept us enslaved to their way. Now make a difference and gain Our freedom from them. Take a chance to truely make a difference for Americans and the world.
Let funding go toward renewable energy sources and not to oil and sources of this nature that's destroying our planet. We have to stop this since the consequences will be devastating to the future of us all.
At least sign the Kyoto Protocol !! Then, immediately start investing in renewable energy and show the rest of the world that we are worthy to be the leader of the free world again !!
