Climate Change Concerns? It is about US!

I do think this is a good project.. the creation of widely published lists of products, companies, and industries that minimize their CO2 creation... as it focuses primarily on the things we each do, and on the reality that most ( if not all) environmental problems are as a result of our actions.. to start thinking about " prevention".. instead of trying to "fix it" after we done the damage. This way of approaching the "problems" also applies to social issues such as substance abuse, violence, and more..

The basic message is " It is up to each of us to "do the right thing".. and that lists of "good" companies and products be created, updated and published widely. Create economic "incentives" for companies to clean up their process and practices through educated consumer choice. Each of us very actively support/create the very problems we're concerned about, by our purchases. Hybrid cars go unsold, as huge SUVs dominate the market. Industry gives us what we want, based upon our purchases.

The recent release of a number of studies on “Climate Change” have renewed a global interest in human contributions to the problems, and what can be done about it. Some countries and their governments have long been concerned, such as Sweden, and have implemented significant efforts, while others such as the Bush administration, continue to drag their feet.

But those concerned need not wait for any government to take action, if my suggestion is pursued. Let us give industries, companies, stores, etc economic incentives to do all they can to come up with innovative solutions to their contributions to environmental problems such as global warming, by publishing a listing of “good” companies, etc. And a similar listing, by product type, of companies that are dragging their feet, or lobbying against efforts to clean up the environment. These lists should be widely publicized, by both private and public efforts.

Companies, industries and individuals do not have to wait for government to enact desired legislation. Consumers vote and support different policies with their purchases. Industry provides the goods and services consumers want. A constantly updated listing of those making the effort to address environmental problems will give consumers the choice to support the environment, and the economy.

Humans may not be 100% responsible for climate change, but we are responsible for the pollution we HAVE caused, and should now do what we can, individually and collectively, to minimize the damages we create.




Tyler Ahlgren
tallgreen [at] earthlink.net or
USA

tallgreen [at] islandnet.com
Canada

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( Addresses removed)


February 10 2007

Dear Mr. Gore,

I am inspired to write to you concerning my ideas about addressing the environmental issues such as climate change, as a result of seeing your latest campaign with Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Earth Challenge.

Although I believe my proposal will result in the targeted reductions in CO2 emissions that your challenge desires, I am not interested in formally entering the competition. Primarily, my concerns are only about time. Your guidelines state a 3 year submission period for proposals, but I think we can undertake significant actions immediately, that will have very significant results, quickly.

Understandably, the Challenge envisions a technical “fix” to be invented/proposed, if I interpret the submission guidelines correctly. However, I will suggest that what products consumers buy, and the methods industries employ to produce them are the primary “cause” of most of the components of most environmental problems, including climate change. As with many of the problems humans find themselves in, “prevention” is a far more effective and efficient way to address them, whether they be substance abuse, or environmental degradation.

My proposal consists of the creation of published lists of the companies, industries, etc, by product type, that minimize or eliminate negative impacts to the environment. This will be done by industry independent non-profit entities that can issue globally recognized certifications for consumers to utilize to identify “good” products. These non-profits can be situated in various parts of the world, so as to be regionally relevant, to be able to publish lists in local media, and keep them updated.


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Recently, I was sent an email supporting actions to be undertaken concerning climate change. It stated, in part, that if everyone in North America replaced their incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent types, that action alone would result in annual CO2
reductions of 62.75 million tonnes per year. If true, that effort alone would represent over 6% of the 1 billion tonnes of annual CO2 reductions the Challenge desires!

Obviously, if that effort were taken globally, the figure would increase. But how to educate and provide incentives to individuals and industries? How to educate the consumers, whose purchases dictate what industry will produce, as to what the “good” choices are, and how their consuming habits are creating the very problems they are so concerned about? What incentives do polluting industries have to change their products and practices, if the consumers do not support their “good” efforts?

I do not propose a system of institutionalized boycotts. Industry wants to make money, and provides consumers what they want to buy. I see these lists as a communication tool between consumers and the industries that produce/supply the desired goods and services. Because of the threats to the planets’ health, many are concerned about the future, and want to know what actions they can take to help. Creating lists of “good” goods and services, and the companies that produce/supply them provides both with the information they want to achieve their goals. Consumers continue to support the economy, change their unhealthy buying habits, and become personally empowered. Industry is given incentives and information on how to best serve their customers and their concerns, AND continue to employ people, and make a profit.

Addressing environmental concerns such as climate change does not have to “destroy the economy”, as some suggest. These need not be “either/or” debates. It need not be about waiting for governments to enact desired legislation. We, as individuals, are creating these problems, and we, in our actions AS individuals, can undertake efforts that will address these problems.

And, I absolutely believe the collective individual efforts on a global scale, as I have described, will not only achieve the Challenges goals, not only accomplish them more quickly.. but will have added benefits in the form of education and empowerment.

I will be interested in your thoughts.

Thank you for your efforts,


Tyler Ahlgren