Dear family and friends,

I hope this note finds you healthy and enjoying the winter.

I'm writing to let you know about a blog (web log) I recently created - www.solve4biggies.com   It's purpose is to propose a solution to 4 big problems we face and to generate dialogue.  The 4 problems -

1. Global warming
2. Dependence on foreign energy
3. Trade deficit
4. Pollution from non-renewable energy

     (See the blog for the solution.....)

For about nine months I submitted op-ed pieces to the national press - newspapers and periodicals.  None were published; hence the blog.

Background

For almost 30 years, the way we use energy in the U.S. (myself included) has bugged me.  It started in high school and was stoked in my freshman year at Clarkson University in the class "Energy & Society."  My final high school term paper was titled, "Why a moratorium should be placed on new nuclear plant construction."  (The reason: we didn't, and still don't, have long-term storage for high-level nuclear waste.  This presents both safety and economic issues.)

Why has the way we use energy bugged me?  It's wasteful and doesn't honor the power of our finite natural resources - particularly fossil fuels.  Please note that I'm not making a moralistic statement.  Even though I'm not particularly fond of 2 gpm (gallons/mile) Hummers or 5,000 square foot homes, this doesn't mean that I think owning these is "bad."  It should just cost more to use them since they're disproportionately contributing to many big problems.

Rita has had to put up with some pretty unusual (dumb?) comments from me since we met in 1992.  Things like, "I'm about to commit a crime", as I got out of the car to purchase gas (because it was so inexpensive) and "Hey, let's shut off the engine and push the car the next 30 miles so we really appreciate a gallon of gas."

The blog

Please check it out and help build participation by doing these things:

• Share your feedback on the blog with me -- either on the blog or via email;
• Forward the link www.solve4biggies.com on to others;
• Add to the list of problems that will be solved/reduced. There are 14 items now; how long until there are 40?;
• Comment on an entry or two;
• Post this blog's link to other blogs;
• Enter the "Debate Corner" and post whether you think this is good or bad idea and why.

Thanks

Thank you for reading this email.  Many thanks to those that helped me put it together - reading and editing, discussing, or encouragement.  One "that's great, go for it" carries me for a long time.

Paul