Bail U.S. Out of the Fossil Fuel Economy

The cost of heating homes and travel has increased dramatically in the past few years.  The situation will not improve in years to come because of limited oil supplies and fierce competition from rapidly growing nations like China, India and Indonesia. And soaring jet fuel costs are threatening the viability of our airlines and raising the price of air travel. Similar problems beset farmers running tractors and construction companies operating heavy machinery.

Conclusion

In order for us to move beyond the fossil fuel economy, corporate America -- especially those seeking taxpayer handouts -- must do their part.  American automakers are no exception.  If they are to receive assistance, it must come with a requirement that they phase out the gasoline engine in 10 years or less. 

Just as digital technology fueled the economic boom of the 1990's, green energy technology will create the economic advancement of tomorrow.  More than a bailout, or a sacrifice, getting off the fossil fuel economy, is an opportunity for extraordinarily positive change, the kind our President-elect Barack Obama has promised.  Clean, renewable, non-nuclear energy -- like solar, wind and geothermal -- is the basis upon which we must rebuild if our economy and our planet are to survive and thrive.

* The secret, 2004 Pentagon report was authored by Peter Schwartz, CIA consultant and former head of planning at Royal Dutch/Shell Group, and Doug Randall of the California-based Global Business Network.  The report was obtained by The Observer.

Karyn is a political scientist, grassroots organizer and writer.  She is the founder and chair of a new organization called hottpac.org, working to elect candidates to reverse catastrophic climate change.  You can contact her at strickler4delegate@gmail.com.

© Karyn Strickler, 2008. 

 1  |  2