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U.S. needs a sustainable energy policy
Justin Gero
Issue date: 5/23/08 Section: Ed-Op
These changes might not seem that extreme, but climate change has had a devastating impact on ecosystems and wildlife.
The BBC reported May 16 that according to data complied by the Zoological Society of London, "populations of land-based species fell by 25 percent, marine by 28 percent and freshwater by 29 percent," since 1970. Overall, between a quarter and a third of the world's wildlife has been lost since 1970. The report goes on to say, "Humans are wiping out about 1 percent of all other species every year, and one of the 'great extinction episodes' in the earth's history is under way."
Achieving energy independence and sustainability is a massive undertaking that may take many decades. However we must start now if we want to reduce our harmful impact on the planet, clean the environment, and stop climate change in the next 10 or 20 years.
Justin Gero is a pre-junior majoring in history, political science and sociology. He is the Ed-Op editor, and can be reached at ed-op@thetriangle.org.
The BBC reported May 16 that according to data complied by the Zoological Society of London, "populations of land-based species fell by 25 percent, marine by 28 percent and freshwater by 29 percent," since 1970. Overall, between a quarter and a third of the world's wildlife has been lost since 1970. The report goes on to say, "Humans are wiping out about 1 percent of all other species every year, and one of the 'great extinction episodes' in the earth's history is under way."
Achieving energy independence and sustainability is a massive undertaking that may take many decades. However we must start now if we want to reduce our harmful impact on the planet, clean the environment, and stop climate change in the next 10 or 20 years.
Justin Gero is a pre-junior majoring in history, political science and sociology. He is the Ed-Op editor, and can be reached at ed-op@thetriangle.org.
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Trevor Witts
posted 5/25/08 @ 6:22 AM EST
An excellent summary of the predicament we are in. I hope this reaches the descion makers and the policy makers.
If only the predicament can be universally acknowledge we might just get the "war effort" that is required to meet the challenge. (Continued…)
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