Ideas to Save the Planet #10- Support Legislation. Take Names. Vote.

Idea #10- Support Legislation. Take Names. Vote.

Remember the seemingly intractable problem of the disappearing ozone layer? In 1990, when the first Bush administration opposed protecting the ozone layer with strong action, Congress passed legislation in favor of changing course. Two weeks afterwards, at an international meeting in London, U.S. opposition to a treaty was reversed, and an effective international agreement turned the tide on ozone protection.

The United States can do the same thing with respect to global warming. One way to make something happen is to ask your Senators and Congressman whether they support the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act. This legislation would essentially require the EPA to take action to freeze U.S. production of greenhouse gases at 2000 levels, and do it by by 2010. It’s not nearly enough, but it would be a good start. McCain-Lieberman was narrowly rejected in 2003 (43-55 in the Senate), but with elections coming up in the fall, there is new hope to build a majority to vote again in 2007.

One duty we have in a democratic society is to vote out representatives who do not serve our interests. But democracy is only effective if you make it work. Get involved. Take names and kick butts!