shades of green... disappointments

After leaving New York City to return to my undergraduate studies at SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry I developed a need-for-knowledge related to the environment and environmental policy. Since that time I have taken multiple courses related to these issues and read dozens of policy related books, published both in the United States and abroad. I read the Wall Street Journal every morning or afternoon. In addition I read every environmental article in Syracuse’s Post Standard and the New York Times. I have become quite knowledgeable about the issues our world is facing and the suggested solutions to “climate change” (GLOBAL WARMING) and other environmental problems. I have also learned about our (President Bush/ the United States) unwillingness to act. I have become fearful of the future of our planet, our country, and corporate America.
This Sunday the New York Times magazine published an article entitled “The Power of Green” by Thomas L. Friedman (See Link Below) about the greening of geopolitics.
I have multiple thoughts since reading his article and discussing it in my Technology, Politics, and The Environment course. In the past I have dreamed of leaving the United States behind because everyone seems so unhappy and so disconnected. Then I started thinking I would leave the United States for a more environmentally-friendly home. Now, I find myself sitting around thinking that the United States is acting like a plant – no brain, no thoughts, no movement. I get angry. I think that the action (read: lack of action) the United States is taking is foolish and is going to harm our economy as we fall behind the nations who taking innovation to another level. The Kyoto Nations have said F*you and moved on with out the United States. We have been left behind to be criticized and to continue on our path. Unfortunately carbon dioxide emissions can not be curbed and global warming can not be stopped with out the United States involvement. Nor can it be stopped with out China’s help. Innovation is necessary so that China, India, and other developing nations can leap-frog from dirty coal exploitation to something cleaner and more efficient.
What is the United States really good at? INNOVATION! Science and technology! Why are we allowing other nations to be innovative? Why are we allowing ourselves to be left out of the loop? Why do we hold out and allow Bush to say “We won’t do anything China won’t do!”? We need to harness the talent we have and dedicate it (read: some of it) to greenness and make greenness not just economically viable, but economically attractive. But first we need to eliminate the perverse incentives working in our economy. We need political leadership. We are waiting for political leadership.
If we jump on the global warming bandwagon we will not be the “laggard” as we have been called for very long. China will become the “laggard”! The criticism that we are experiencing will then be focused on those developing nations, whom with out their help we will be unable to attain our goals. I am certain that with the right leadership and incentive programs, corporate America will innovate and move our country and economy forward, again into the role of leader. We must recapture our position and reputation as “Leader” as “Number One.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/magazine/15green.t.html?em&ex=1177041600&en=bee4ce25af3accba&ei=5087%0A