Weather, Water, Energy 5-15-07

We have five years, five years, folks, to get rolling full steam or the worst cases are going to start happening. And since the next two are already known wastelands, we'll have three. It's not that we don't know what to do:

The report advocated six key solutions, including more efficient energy use, the reversal of deforestation, accelerated development of low emission technologies such as wind and solar power, as well as energy storage, replacing coal-fired power stations with gas, and carbon capture and sequestration.

Together they could cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 60 to 80 percent by 2050 provided they are implemented on time.

But we can't keep screwing around. . . . Some good news. Some forest-rich nations are organizing to get develop a plan to make preservation politically and economically attractive. The problem? "It will require political will and sound economic strategy to make the RED initiative work," explains Field. "But the initiative provides a big reduction in emissions at low cost. It is a good example of the kind of creative thinking that can help solve the climate problem." And notice how the US isn't included in the nations. . . . Another possible solution is to reinvest in parks in our cities to cut the cement and decrease the transpiring runoff. . . . Finally, more to cheer you. A great rant on the harmful and tax-avoiding effects of frequent flyer miles here and here.