BEFORE ANYTHING

Efficiency.  Efficiency.  Efficiency.  The greenest electron is the one we never use.  Changing our method and logic on energy use is a great place to start.  According to the Energy Information Administration, (EIA) nation wide the US energy portfolio of the Electricity Grid in 2007 was 91% of fossil fuel based - these are finite resources that have limits!  Energy efficiency and conservation measures represent an untapped gold mine - a resource to explore as a top priority.

The Science

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), created in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme, is perhaps the most comprehensive scientific review board in human history.  The IPCC web page has very detailed information on high level scientific reports and conversations, but is relatively 'policy neutral'.  For more information click HERE.

James Hansen, one of the foremost American Scientists on climate change first delivered testimony to the US Congress in June of 1988.  His work over the decades has provided great insights - to learn more click HERE.

The Solutions

Solution 1: 

Create New Jobs in a New Economy 

With the creation of new jobs we can conserve more energy, jump start the deployment of new technologies, lower barriers to entry level investors and contribute to the positive 'can do' spirit of our country.  Jobs dealing with conservation, efficiency and on-site technologies are domestic by nature and can not be out sourced to foreign economies. 

Click HERE to find links to these reports: 

The Vote Solar Initiative: Putting the Sun in the Sunshine State

Green Jobs for America: Job Opportunities in a green Economy: Florida Can Gain From Fighting Global Warming

Cashing In On Clean Energy: A National Renewable Electricity Standard Will Benefit Florida's Economy and the Environment 

Florida's Road to Energy Independence: Building on Job Growth in Renewable Energy Component Manufacturing

Solution 2: 

Limit Climate Pollution

The science is clear, human activities are altering the Earth's atmosphere.  The continued use of fossil fuels is pushing the atmospheric concentration of CO2 to geologically historic levels: we hit a planetary milestone in May 2009 as the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii recorded atmospheric levels of CO2 about 390 parts per million for the first time in recorded human history. Experts agree that we have a narrow window to reduce these CO2 levels - nothing short of a transformation from a fossil fuel economy towards a clean energy economy will achieve this.  Scientists are calling for a reduction of CO2 of at least 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050.  In an effort to reach that, we must be 25% below 1990 levels by 2020.  Read more HERE.

Solution 3: 

No New Coal Plants

Coal represents the single largest point source of CO2 pollution, meaning that coal-fired power plants comparatively emit the most CO2 from any given source.  Aside from the tragic health complications of this dirty fuel, we need wide and pervasive public support for renewables and demand-side efficiency programs.  The good news is, the citizens of Florida have already stepped up and said NO to NEW COAL!        

Florida communities have led recent efforts to STOP the construction of new coal-fired power plants.  Click HERE to read these recent articles about the community led victories: 

 -Page 3 of this report highlights the details of 4 canceled coal-fired plants in FL: $45 Billion In US Coal-Fired Power Plants Canceled in 2007

 - October 5th, 2007: St Petersburg Times - Plan for $2B Coal Plant Squashed

 - Lester Brown Feb 2008 article: US Moving Toward Ban on New Coal-Fired Power Plants

 - January 2008: Progress Towards a Coal Moratorium, 59 Coal Plants Canceled or Shelved in 2007

 The Policy 

We are all in this together.  The magnitude of this problem takes all levels of government and the broad acknowledgment from citizens of every nation.  In the US, great strides have been made within local governments, some state governments have made notable efforts, but by and large the US Federal Government has been a big disappointment, not only resisting action, but actually suppressing information about the long term threats of global warming.  1Sky has been developed to ensure that our federal government waits no more - we must all raise our voice to let our Senators and Members of Congress know that America for a new bold energy policy that deals with climate legislation.  America deserves a new, proactive course.  America can not only lead ourselves out of a fossil fuel economy but can help the world embrace renewables and energy efficiency helping to bridge the gap towards a renewable industrial world.

Click HERE to learn more about policy measures that will rise to meet the challenge.  

 More on Energy Sources 

Before we explore new sources of energy, we should always look to create more conservative and efficient systems. To learn more about smart design and the following energy sources, click HERE.

• Coal 
• Design 
• Efficiency
  
• Geothermal 
• Hydro Power (Large Scale)  
• Natural Gas
• Nuclear
• Oil
• Solar
• Wind