SENTIENT TIMES April/May 2002

Editor's Note

By Deborah Mokma

When we become aware of a friend or family member’s substance abuse problem, intervening in order to protect them from the potentially deadly effects of their illness is a commonly accepted action to take.

Today, we are all substance abusers. And we need each other’s help. Our addiction to fossil fuels is threatening our health, our planet, and the future of countless generations.

Although the technology currently exists to produce safe, family size vehicles with increased fuel efficiency, automakers are not compelled to make these improvements because they have convinced Congress that “consumers” don’t want cars which burn less gas. It is up to us, as citizens, to tell Congress that we do care about global warming, our children’s health, and the lives being lost protecting our “oil interests” overseas.

The Union of Concerned Scientists, with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and Tellus Institute, investigated the costs and benefits of a Clean Energy Blueprint to promote diversity in production and energy conservation. Their findings show that by 2020 the United States can:
• Meet at least 20 percent of its electricity needs by renewable energy sources—wind, biomass, geothermal, and solar.
• Save consumers a total of $440 billion, with annual savings reaching $105 billion per year or $350 per typical family.
• Reduce our use of natural gas by 31 percent and coal by nearly 60 percent, and save more oil in 18 years than can be economically recovered from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 60 years.
• Avoid the need for 975 new power plants, retire 180 old coal plants, retire 14 existing nuclear plants, and reduce the need for hundreds of thousands of miles of new gas pipelines and electricity transmission lines.
• Reduce carbon dioxide emissions by two-thirds, while reducing harmful air emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides by 55 percent.

The policies included in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Investment Act of 2001 (S. 1333, Sen. Jeffords, I-VT) would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by nearly one third over the next 20 years, while providing an economic boost to rural economies by creating a long-term source of jobs, income, and tax revenues.

It is up to all of us to communicate with our elected officials (see contact info below) regarding these very important findings. Call, write, fax or email as often as you can, it does make a difference! And encourage everyone you know to do the same.

As we go to press, several progressive candidates in the Ashland area have announced their intention to run for public office. These folks should be applauded, this kind of commitment to the community requires courage and energy. Oregon elections are presently dominated by candidates who receive millions of dollars in contributions from big corporations and wealthy individuals. Imagine the potential we would have for a true democracy if public funding for campaigns replaced special interest funding, and how many more qualified candidates might come forward. While this concept may seem far-fetched at this time, I believe it is in all of our best interest to strive for this level of change in our electoral process.

In the meantime, we need to continue to make whatever strides we can, including substantial campaign finance reform on federal and state levels. Passage of the Shays-Meehan campaign finance reform in the US Senate, while a step in the right direction, does not prevent soft money going to state organizations. As Oregon presently has no campaign contribution limitations, lots of corporate money will now pour into the state. Our only chance of stemming this flow will be passage of the Campaign Finance Reform initiative, now gathering signatures, which would ban all corporate contributions to candidates running in the state of Oregon. See Lloyd Marbet’s article on page 9 for more on this grass roots effort.

I have heard from some that the information in the pages of Sentient Times tends to be too depressing. My hope is that rather than be brought down by this information, our readers will be brought to their feet, and inspired to take action. An informed populace is a strong populace, and one whose choices will more likely reflect priorities which benefit the greater good. Whether it’s choosing to run for office, participating in a campaign or initiative drive, lobbying (see Bonnie Lock’s story on page 10), or writing letters to elected officials and local news media, it’s up to all of us to become involved.

Please join the movement for a more just and democratic future. Our children’s children are depending on us.

SENTIENT TIMES
PO Box 1330 Ashland, OR 97520
PHONE (541) 512-1084 • FAX (541) 512-1085
dmokma@jeffnet.org