As campaign 2008 gets into high gear for the primary season, I have been thinking about what I would hope to see our next president actually do when he or she takes office in a year. I am more and more convinced that a Manhattan-style project for quitting our dependence on oil would be the most important and politically powerful program to push. People concerned with global warming would love it. People who understand the economic dangers of peak oil and rising global demand for oil would love it. People who want to see us care less about places like Iraq would love it. People tired of paying over $3/gallon for gas and fearful of $4 or $5/gallon prices would love it. It is an urgent and important problem that could easily become a crisis in the coming months and years.
The next president could offer tax credits and other incentives for taxpayers and corporations to use renewable sources and more fuel-efficient technology, funded by a gas tax and CO2 taxes. The government could invest money in research and development of new energy sources conducted at American universities and provide more support for math and science education at high schools across the country - especially those in less affluent districts - to make sure future scientists and engineers are well-educated and inspired.
The reality is that we are probably 10 years or more behind in addressing this issue. So time is of the essence. We ignore is at our peril. But it also seems like a political no-brainer.
No comments:
Post a Comment