An Earth Day plea to fight global warming

Earth Day 2008 comes at a crossroads for the planet. If we don't get serious about reversing global warming now, we face a future of continued rising temperatures and increased storm activity that will impact water supplies, agriculture, wildlife, human health and, ultimately, our way of life.

During last month's Earth Hour, people around the globe turned off their lights for 60 symbolic minutes to make an important point about the individual's role in solving environmental problems. However, the real solution to global warming doesn't lie in personal choices, but rather in policy changes at the government level that create better choices for us in the first place. If new homes were built using energy efficiency standards, we would save energy without having to turn off the lights. If every new car was required to have lower greenhouse gas emissions, we wouldn't have to feel guilty about not driving a Prius.

We need better laws addressing energy efficiency and greenhouse gas pollution such as the Global Warming Response Act (SB 2220/HB 5254) being considered by the Illinois General Assembly. The bill, which was proposed by a coalition of organizations called the Illinois Climate Action Network, includes the Illinois Clean Cars Act (HB 3424/SB 2238), which has attracted the support of more than 150 civic, political, faith, academic, health and environmental leaders. Passing these bills would not only help curb global warming, they would be good for public health and the economy.

Legislators will vote based on what they hear from their constituents, so it's important for Illinois citizens to be informed about the issues surrounding global warming and let their elected officials know how they feel about them. Imagine the impact if everyone who participated in Earth Hour had called their legislators instead of turning off their lights -- now that would have made a statement.

Jonathan Goldman

Executive Director

Illinois

Environmental Council

Steering Committee

member

Illinois Climate

Action Network

Chicago