It Takes a Disaster

It Takes A Disaster…

For years people have been trying to tell the world that we need to change our ways. National Geographic has put out many articles about what is and can happen to our environment. Climates have changed, storm systems have change, our atmosphere has changed, and our rivers, oceans and lakes have changed. Yet many don’t listen. In fact, a recent poll indicated people are more worried about their day to day economic standing than they are about what their environment has in-store for them.

“Often there are trade-offs or sacrifices people must make in deciding what is important to them. Generally speaking, when a trade-off has to be made, which is more important to you: stimulating the economy or protecting the environment?”

Stimulating the economy Protecting the environment Both (vol.) Unsure
% % % %
12/4 – 08/2009 61 29 8 2
1/11 – 15/2009 58 33 8 1
4/20 – 24/2007 36 52 8 4

*CBS News/New York Times Poll. Dec. 4-8, 2009. N=1,031 adults nationwide. (MoE ± 3).

Today we are faced with one of the worst disasters to hit the world. It wasn’t caused by global warming; it wasn’t caused by anything natural; it was caused by greed. At this time, almost 1,000,000 gallons of crude oil is being pumped into the Gulf of Mexico per day; a man-made disaster that has the potential to wipe out an entire eco-system. The only positive thing in this fiasco is the fact that the fuel prices are falling. For those of you concerned about the economy, this is a good thing. It seems that we’re not worried about protecting the environment, or worried about finding alternative fuels, or worried about the what if’s, if something did happen that is irreversible. It took a disaster of this magnitude to bring people’s attention to the environment, but I ask how long will the attention be now towards the environment? We still are in an economic downfall, hanging by a thread for financial stability.

How do we bring both the environment and the economy together? How do we provide a green future for our children if we are struggling to stay in business or even keep our jobs? This disaster can and will open our views to new areas of business and jobs; that many of you have already tapped into or are making the transition in to green industries like: solar power generation, thermal water heating, grey water recycling, LEED building, electric cars, hydrogen fuel cells, and even recycling. We are on the verge of a new economy, a green economy. Yes, it will take some time to be as strong as it was before; but hopefully this catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico has open the eyes of those 61% to realize that the age of fossil fuels as our power generation source is coming to an end.

Our power companies and government have begun to make these items more accessible to the public, with incentives and rebates, but many of you still find it costly and un-tangible. The green movement isn’t just a fad like it was in the 80’s; we are beginning to realize that everything we do will stay with us for many generations to come. Power plants and cars produce too much carbon, cities in the desert like Tucson Arizona have little ground water to sustain its current rate of use, and oil companies are becoming greedier by the day.

I regret to say that it takes a disaster like the gulf oil spill for our governments, corporations, and our society to realize that fossil fuels propose a threat to our environment at every level of existence. Hopefully, it’s not too late for us to act and change how we use energy. Many countries around the world have begun to do their part, but now we need to push forward and act now.

Casey Musselman – Vice President/Co-Owner
Sonora Solar Solutions