Sunday, May 22, 2005

Never Enough Energy Sundays Redux Department

Until I can come up with a better name....
I especially recommend reading Jay Inslee's "Apollo Creed" article, as it is inspiring and refreshing to hear Democrats beginning to assert themselves on the issue of energy independence and sustainability. But note the overall theme: Americans are insisting on higher gas mileage, even while the Republicans insist on kissing up to the oil industry. And Brazil is kicking our butts when it comes to sustainable energy. At this rate, the US will be third-world while the developing nations will be clean, healthy, and munificient. The key, as argued in this article, is to stress energy independence as patriotic and economical in the short term, and push long-term environmental concerns as a side benefit. Yes, I know, it's a damned shame that humans seem to prefer the short-term view, but rather than lamenting, we should be using the fact to ensure both the short-term and the long-term are addressed to everyone's satisfaction. That's what they're doing in Brazil.

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