One thing I think we're not seeing eye-to-eye on is the distinction between generic "pollution" and C02 emissions (which drive the greenhouse effect). Yes, thanks to Nixon's leadership in creating the EPA, pollution is much better in many places than it was in the 1970s. No doubt about it. But CO2 emissions remain a huge problem. I won't debate who's the top CO2 emitter in the world at this particular moment but the US is clearly near the top of the list. And, importantly, has been for 150 years.
I agree that this is a global problem and no matter how hard we try, we can't solve it on our own. It is going to take a world-wide effort and sacrifice to get it done. I think it's also very important to remember that our "best-in-the-world" lifestyle which we have enjoyed for generations here in America has come at the cost of our nation being the largest CO2 emitter since 1850. And it's not even close! This short video shows how we rate on emissions historically:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zP0L69ielU&t=55s
Many people think the whole world shares an equal responsibility to fix the climate crisis. Clearly, it is everyone's problem. But don't you think America, specifically, and a few other countries, bear particular responsibility for addressing the issue? Or at least trying to? After all, our country has disproportionately benefited for 150 years from all the climate damage we have caused (whether we knew it at the time or not). Personally, I feel that America bears a unique responsibility in leading the charge to mitigate this crisis since we directly benefitted so much from it.
Does that mean sacrifice? Yes, of course. Even without talking about renewables so much of what we take for granted about our great "American lifestyle" could be curtailed. Even small changes/sacrifices can really add up. Does every American need to set the A/C to 65 degrees all summer long even while they're away at work most of the day? Do we need to keep the furnace at 70 degrees all winter, day and night? Does our Suburban need to be an ice box all summer long while we shuttle Tommy to soccer practice? Do we need to drive gas-guzzling SUVs and F150 to the grocery store or to pick up the kids from school? Does anyone (besides farmers and industry) really need V8 cars and trucks? Do we need a 400 HP V8 to tow a boat to the lake now and then? Do we need to drive 80 mph on the interstates everywhere we go? Do we need to have lights on in every room seemingly 24/7 and "decorative" lights on outside as well? Do we need our water heaters set to produce scalding hot water? Do we need to fly to vacation spots several times a year? Could we get more of our electricity (no, not all) from solar? Wind? What's the big harm? The sun is pumping free energy at us every day! Will it replace fossil fuel? No, maybe not right now. But anything we can do to step further away from fossil fuel is a good thing! Why not do everything we can to encourage our local utility to expand their portfolio with some solar power? Personally, I invested in a local solar farm through my power utility. I don't need to put panels on my roof to take advantage of solar and encourage the use of renewables on a local level. And, yes, renewables aren't perfect. Nothing is. But we need to get off of fossil fuels. No two ways about it. Renewables are the best alternative we've got at the moment. Even if they can't entirely supplant fossil fuels they can surely slash our dependence on them.
PS: Who says lawn equipment pollutes? The EPA. https://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/faq-environment.htm Until I see credible data that shows they're wrong, I'm gonna take them at their word. I'm not conspiratorial enough to believe everything the government says is evil or "out to get us." As we learn more about the problem we try to adapt. This lawn equipment thing is but one small step further away from carbon-based energy. Sure it's not perfect but lots of little steps can add up so I think it's a step in the right direction.
Hey, we may not agree but at least we're having the conversation. That's better than the alternative, IMO.
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Today's Featured Article - A Lifetime of Farm Machinery - by Joe Michaels. I am a mechanical engineer by profession, specializing in powerplant work. I worked as a machinist and engine erector, with time spent overseas. I have always had a love for machinery, and an appreciation for farming and farm machinery. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Not a place one would associate with farms or farm machinery. I credit my parents for instilling a lot of good values, a respect for learning, a knowledge of various skills and a little knowledge of farming in me, amo
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