(AP photo)
Our nation’s reliance on dirty fossil fuels is the root of a problem that has been growing increasingly out of control, as evidenced by the latest coal mining disaster and oil spill.
The recent Gulf oil spill is not the first oil spill. There have been countless oil spills over the past decade, all over the world, but the latest spill of the coast of Louisiana should be a wake-up call to our nation. The natural environment has been devastated, local economies crippled, and millions being spent on cleanup. Oil spill clean up and recovery are dangerous, as well. All commercial fishing boats involved in oil spill clean up efforts have now been recalled after workers began reporting health problems, potentially from the toxic chemicals used in cleanup.
And let’s not forget about coal. The recent coal mining accident in West Virginia took 29 human lives and coal plants around the country continue to pollute our air and impact public health.
These disasters are the most recent reminders of the risks and costs involved with dirty fossil fuels. Do we need another reminder? Do we keep cleaning up the messes from fossil fuels or finally get to the root of the problem?
Now more than ever is the time to embrace renewable energy as a cleaner and safer option to coal and oil. Yesterday, Obama underscored the necessity of seeking alternative energy sources. According to the President, NOT enacting energy reform would threaten national security, the economy, and the environment.
But, oil and coal power are the most affordable ways to power our society today, and in a time when the demand for energy is increasing exponentially, it’s hard to ignore the math. Energy from fossil fuels is still fundamental to the country – we can’t ignore that – but as President Obama has iterated, now is the time for change.
SunRun has started a 10,000 solar roofs cause on Facebook and we’re looking for 10,000 homeowners across the nation who want to power their homes with clean, solar energy in 2010. We have a choice. Please help us spread the word by joining the cause and telling your friends. And if you have any suggestions as to how we can grow the movement, please let us know!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d like to say that I am going solar because I distain my utility company and I am willing to pay the extra cost of going solar to insulate myself from them and their incessant rate increases.
I do not buy into the fears about global warming and we still need energy from coal and oil. We have enough coal in this country to supply our energy needs and while we do need to transition from oil, it is years, if not decades away. Environmentalists will not allow nuclear power plants to be built which is a mistake.
The recent oil spill in the Gulf is going to be the battle cry for ceasing all U.S. drilling for oil. Not drilling for oil while countries like China and Russia drill is short sighted on our behalf and we will have energy problems in the future. Perhaps that is what the environmentalists want.
So please do not assume all solar owners are tree huggers. I agree we need to protect the environment, but I am not rabid about it. There do need to be incentives for moving away from oil and coal.
These days, solar power is the way to go. Aside from it being earth friendly, it can also lessen electric bills, and we can avoid such incidents.
oil spills can really mess up the environment, i hope we can find a very good solution to control oil spills -~”