The letter made me feel good. Pacific Power reported that our household bought enough renewable energy in 2008 to prevent the release of 19,890 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions into the air. That’s the same as not driving 20,170 miles. We paid $125 more for electricity to participate in the utility’s Blue Sky program. But the letter’s effect soon faded.
We could and should have done much more to use less fossil fuel. Yes, my wife Suzame has become the intrepid bike rider, even in winter, and often takes the bus. I still drive more than necessary, especially with us living close to most things we need. And our 1920s Craftsman house badly needs more energy efficiency.
It’s sadly hypocritical considering how much I’ve read about global climate change and marveled at the planet’s infinitesimal response in the face of overwhelming evidence. I had tended to dismiss the more dire predictions, but the pace of change is accelerating. Doomsayers among climate scientists, such as James Lovelock, may be vindicated as prescient.
Instead of spending money on wind power and this house, maybe we should be looking at property in northern Canada.
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Good job on promoting sustainability. A book that I just finished reading titled, “Agenda for a Sustainable America,” written by John Dernbach. What I liked most about the book was its constructive and achievable recommendations. This is not a “gloom and doom” book. Rather, it shows specific ways we can improve the quality of our lives and those of our children. Your families efforts to reduce driving in order to preserve fossil fuel is something that you should be proud of… not very many families are even doing that at this point.
Becky — Thanks for you response. I’ll definitely check out the book. We’re groping around, so to speak, and would like something concrete to guide us. Luckily, the sustainability ethos is very strong here in Portland. So we know many people who are walking the walk.