Thursday, November 5, 2009

DIY Climate Change Bill

As the Copenhagen summit approaches, why wait for the US Congress? Take action right away yourself.

Do you have any of the following things around your home?

-- A roof or lawn with unobstructed solar access
-- A place where the wind blows often and strong (maybe on top of a tower)
-- A stream that runs year round and that has a measurable drop in it
-- Space to dig a geothermal trench system or well

Along with these things, you'll need some upfront money -- thousands of dollars, in fact -- I know the recession is terrible, but some of you can afford to do this: invest in a household-size renewable energy system. You'll eliminate carbon emissions, help a fledgling industry to grow, put money into your community (much of it goes to the folks who design and install these systems, and they live in your region), and know your energy costs for years to come. Once the system is in place, the renewable energy output and dollar value is very predictable, compared to the ups and downs of the cost of oil, gas, or electricity.