Alternative energy

Building the case:

Efficiency and alternative energy make sense from every conceivable angle. We need to counteract the global warming trend. Coal mining is dangerous (ex.: recent tragedies involving miners) and disastrous to the environment (see mountaintop removal http://www.sierraclub.org/cleanwater/mtr/). Burning coal for energy releases many toxic pollutants into the environment, namely mercury (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1531326,00.html).
Oil is a major factor in our involvement in the Middle East and our current wars are exacerbating terrorism (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6135344).
At home, paying high energy prices is a hardship both directly (heating bills, cost of gas, etc.) and indirectly (rising costs of goods and services). Efficiency is so desirable because less energy needs to be produced, which saves money, resources and the environment (http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/contentlookup.cfm?&ucidparam=20060612140326).


Alternative energy will be an opportunity and positive economic step because rather than sending our money overseas for oil and natural gas, we can invest in alternative fuel production here. The Apollo Alliance was formed by businesspeople who recognize this opportunity (http://www.apolloalliance.org/state_and_local/New_York/index.cfm). Cities that commit to changes for efficiency are finding that they save money and are revitalizing their urban centers (http://www.sierraclub.org/utilities/printpage.asp?REF=/sierra/200607/charlotte.asp). And the benefits to health and the environment are obvious.


What to do:

The Federal Government has given lip service to efficiency and alternative energy but refuses to take steps such as increasing CAFÉ standards (http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/gwg/news/articles/mpg.htm)
and signing the Kyoto Protocol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol). However, state and local governments have recognized the need for action and are instituting changes in their areas. The Sierra Club is supporting this and has developed a program to assist activists in working for these changes (http://www.coolcities.us/).

The solutions:
(http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conservation/energy.pdf).
(http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/master_list.htm).