2002 — A Happy New Year?

2002 — A Happy New Year?

By Judi Friedman, Canton

September 11 was a wake-up call for the world—on many issues, including energy. The United States' present energy system is extremely brittle and is vulnerable to sabotage and attack. We could truly have our own Connecticut nuclear holocaust if a terrorist decided to fly a 747 into the Millstone reactor or—even easier—a smaller plane into the spent fuel pool at Millstone Power Station.

Rather than ensuring mutual anger, revenge and hatred that will escalate into ever-widening cycles of violence, I hope the United States can reach out to poorer nations—sharing our knowledge, our conflict resolution skills, our teachers, our builders, our civil rights and environmental experts—to help stop the destruction of our planetary environment and to improve citizen health in distant places.

I speak as a witness. Two examples haunt my mind. I have listened to the Western Shoshone in our own country, pleading against the nuclear terrorism of our bomb explosions and radioactive wastes on their sacred lands in Nevada. The anguish of activists in Kazakhstan in Central Asia cries out as I remember their terrifying description of the pollution our oil exploration and "burning off" have caused—and are still causing. Our country's greed endangers each of us and our children. The United States' selfish quest for oil and natural gas pits us against sad and desperate people around the world.

During this new year, let us answer hated and revenge with a special fervor for democracy, peace, and environmental planetary responsibility. The United States must work much harder to use clean, renewable, efficient and safe energy. We must attain energy independence that is healthy and does not require protection by the National Guard. Let's send the message that our country is not only strong, but that it is also good.

And let each of us set an example, helping Connecticut to become a national leader through citizen action by using energy-efficient lighting in every Connecticut home and office (www.smartlivingstore.com); by joining the Connecticut Energy Cooperative and buying "green-e" electricity through its Eco-Watt program (www.energyforme.com); by purchasing energy-efficient appliances and installing dual-temperature thermostats with a built-in clock; by driving gas/ hybrid cars; by demanding and supporting tax incentives for renewable energy installations; by putting pressure on the Clean Energy Fund to use its money for more visible renewable programs; by applying similar pressure on the Conservation Fund (which each of us pays into) for more visible and useful conservation programs; and by supporting those legislators who work for healthy air quality.

These actions are win-win, currently available solutions that can be among our legacies to Mother Earth, as well as part of a national path to enduring peace.

Judi Friedman is Chairperson of PACE (People's Action for Clean Energy).