Ask not what your government can do for you ......

[screembloodymurder]

I don't think it matters who we support, who we vote for, or even who wins. But how we spend our money matters, and if we want change we have to change the way we live. Want more fuel efficient cars, buy one. Want fewer cows, become a veggie. If the American people stop buying gasoline, meat or anything else, it will make a difference and those corporations that provide "what we buy" will be the winners and companies that continue making what we no longer want, will no longer be in business. Since our government and our corporations don't give a damn about the planet, it's up to us.

[Deja Q]

1. Convince 200 million parents to do that.

It's easy to say what needs to happen.

It's another matter to get it done.

We have them exactly where they want us.

[Dead_Parrot]

2. There are three problems with that...

Firstly, there's the people that don't care. If I buy a Prius and the guy next door buys a Hummer, the overall trend isn't good. The only way to stop him is to make gas - or the hummer - stupidly expensive. The best way to do that is by setting taxes (or at least, cancelling the rebates :() - and I can't do that, only the government can.

Secondly, there need to be alternatives. If you live near a bus route and commute to a cubicle, you can certainly save gas: If you're a farmer, there is simply no alternative to sticking gas in your tractor - No one makes hydrogen fuel tractors, solar powered tractors or wind-power tractors: You may be able to use biodiesel if the equipment will run it and you have a supply. Again, the research and infrastructure changes required are beyond the capacity of individuals, and lie with government.

The other problem is with state-level enterprises, like power generation. If I want to save electricity I can buy a power-saving lightbulb, but if I want to use nuclear energy the options for buying my own nuke plant are limited. There are home-level solutions for solar, hydro and biofuel, even wind to a point, but they are out of the price range that most Americans - certainly most of the rest of us - can afford. We therefore rely on governments steering power gen. companies in the right direction - through taxes, other finance, or simply withholding licenses.

Besides, I like beef. :P

[northofdenali]

3. Already looking into a hybrid -

have to find one that actually WORKS on a consistent basis at 45 to 65 below zero (starts, runs, warms up inside, adequate for 4-WD roads). Haven't given up cows yet but try to get a moose each year or split one with friends. Better taste, no real waste, natural diet. Ditto caribou.

Greening the house is a little tough with our weather extremes. Burning wood causes extreme air problems - we have many, many inversions in our interior valley, and air quality gets poor very quickly. Solar is a laugh in winter with 2 1/2 hours daylight, and the sun hardly coming over the horizon. I like solar in summer, though.

My greenhouse is about ready to go for the season, too.

I will not shop at most of the big box stores, but we have only 2 grocery stores total - Fred Meyer and Safeway. Our natural foods market closed down in 1998. I try to buy, in spring, summer, fall, all locally grown veggies. Can't do it in winter - there aren't any.

If anyone has any really good suggestions for a cold-weather climate, please PM me!