Title is from an article in today's Washington Post.

Given the potentially dire consequences of current climate change AND its inertia, this is good news.  Even more importantly, "Most say they would be willing to personally change some things they do in order to mitigate climate change, even if it involves some sacrifice."

In the coming months and years many will be peddling "free lunch" solutions to global climate change.  Be sure to look under the covers as to why they are pushing a given solution; what's in it for them?  For politicians it will be taking safe "stands" in  their attempt to stay in their job (or get elected) by not truly leading.  For companies, profit will often be the motive.  The question to ask is, "is xyz solution really going to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions?"

We all want a silver bullet solution, and there's a small chance that one exists.  But, are we willing to gamble the future of our planet on finding an easy solution?  Given how long carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels remains in the atmosphere - "tens of thousands of years" - isn't it prudent that we began taking actions now that science guarantees will significantly reduce greenhouse gases?  There is such tremendous inertia now, that we really have no idea what effect we can have on slowing this ship, and eventually turning it around.

Free lunch solutions are helpful and will reduce greenhouse gases, but they will not be sufficient to stop global warming caused by human activity.  Their impact will be too small and we just do not have time to experiment.  Think about the time and effort it takes to slow and stop a freight train - inertia.

Instead of jawboning about free lunch solutions, we should embrace the opportunity we have to reduce:
    - U.S. dependence on foreign oil,
    - the U.S. trade deficit,
    - air pollution (from the Washington Post article above, "After global warming, respondents were most likely to raise air pollution as the 'single biggest' environmental problem.")
 
   ....while reducing greenhouse gases and creating a mighty alternative fuel industry that we can share with the world and profit from.

The U.S. needs to LEAD other countries in reducing greenhouse emissions.  Why?  We're the LEADER in emitting greenhouse gases.  We're ignoring pleas from other countries to reduce our emissions -- this is outrageous.  In the process, we're giving other countries all the reasons they need to ignore their greenhouse gas emissions.

The solution:  shift of income taxes to non-renewable energy in the form of a btu tax (phased-in and revenue-neutral)

"When life gives you a kick, let it kick you forward."     Unknown