Another Diatribe.

I have been doing a lot of research for a paper in my Biology class on atmospheric carbon dioxide and it has been a big eye opener. I knew there were many scientists talking about the impending doom of global warming and climate change due to CO2 levels but I had no idea about some of the sources for these high levels. Part of the assignment was to write an op-ed piece for the Oregonian (our local newspaper) and when I was done I sent it to them even though I didn't have to because I felt like I had something to say to other people.
Some of you who know me may just think this is one of those things that Scott gets excited about because he just learned about it and his passion will fade. (i.e. when MySpace was bought by Rupert Murdoch) I don't think this is the case. This issue is not just something I can know about and tell you about. Everyone needs to know that it WILL affect them in one way or another in the next couple of decades and the severity of those effects can be greatly reduced if something is done now. It is a global issue that law makers and governments are not willing to put in the forefront because they would rather put money in their pockets and think that nothing can be done or they talk about it a lot and appoint this guy to do this and throw some money at the issue. Consciousness is the first step and doing our part to reduce our own personal emissions is a reality.
Below is my op-ed that I wrote. I had to leave out many things because it had to be under 500 words. In future posts I am going to add more on this thought and post links to sites I think are important. The new widget to the right is part of the story. If you don't know what the numbers mean look it up or ask me. I have a lot to say about this.

In My Opinion

What do you think it would take for Oregon companies to put a check on their Carbon Dioxide emissions? CO2 emission tax? State law for reduction of emissions? Knowing that their company may be under hundreds of feet of water by 2025?

What do you think it would take Oregonians to reduce their own personal emissions? Inexpensive fuel efficiency? Knowing that their children may be dealing with millions of refugees fleeing from catastrophic conditions in as little as 40 or 50 years?

I assume the majority of people in America that saw An Inconvenient Truth, like me, took that truth with a grain of salt and said to themselves, “Al Gore sure spins a good yarn about possible effects yet he is shown flying and driving to his destination emitting CO2 every step of the way.” We know there are freedoms and comforts at stake when it comes to doing our part to reduce our own CO2 emissions but they do not have to be inconvenient. If one voice is heard by thousands and those voices are heard by millions could we not decide to choose survival of our expansive species on this tiny planet? When a majority gets together and demands change because they are fed up or they know it is the right thing to do their audience can do nothing except listen. Where would we be if Jefferson and his compatriots did not demand their audience to listen?

The facts are out there and America is the leading cause of atmospheric carbon. The “American Dream” has done our psyches well yet it has had a detrimental impact on our environment. The personal automobile, cement production and consumer product waste are the highest reasons we lead the globe in CO2 emissions. If you think about it, the freedom you feel from having your own car comes with many evils. I have been car-free for over 7 years now, by choice, and I say free because there are so many freedoms associated with not having a vehicle. I pay no insurance, fuel or maintenance costs. I have the freedom of actually knowing the ins and outs of my environment on the street level. How many of you have seen a piece of public art or park while you are driving by and thought, “Why have I never known that was there before?” How far are you willing to go to deny yourself the pleasure of knowing the city you live in, not just the path to drive from A to B? Portland has a great transit system and if more people use it, and also pay their fare, the system will only get better.

EcoFoot.org and EPA.gov have informative calculators to find how you personally affect your environment.

In a state established by pioneers I feel the spirit still lives on. Followers can only follow if a leader is willing to lead. Since America is the leading country in CO2 emissions isn’t it our responsibility to lead the change to a self-sustaining future?

Scott Farley
Portland, OR
(Student)