Let’s make renewables affordable
It has been an eventful year in politics. From talks with North Korea to the controversial termination of temporary protected status for certain groups, there is a never-ending list of issues and news pieces that people devote their time to each day. While these are definite legitimate issues, there is another by which everyone is affected — climate change.
Climate change is a leading factor in the world’s most immediate threat. Online sites such as drawdown.org list the problems that should be addressed. It is referred to as “the most comprehensive guide to climate change.”
Global warming is real. Even though the administration decided to pull out of the Paris Agreement, there are still other outlets for the people to make change. Local and state governments have power that can be used in situations like these.
What can we do? We have to stop with the complete belief that the president represents the United States as a whole, globally. People across the world know there is a rift between the U.S. president and many of the citizens. Just because the president thinks it unreal does not mean we the people agree. After all, we are not trying to prevent climate change for the president, but for humanity.
We have to stop locking ourselves in a nonexistent room arguing with a man that refutes facts, but move on and show the change we can make as a people with the power of facts.
One thing Santa Fe can do is create affordable loans for homeowners and businesses to incentivize the implementation of solar panels and other forms of renewable energy. It is possible to build a community that uses a lot less energy, but there are few places in the United States actually doing it.
Curitiba in Brazil is one of the best examples of how urban planning and architecture can have a direct effect on energy consumption. The change only took two decades and it is now one of the “greenest cities on Earth.” Ninety percent of the city participates in a recycling program and uses a trash-for-tokens system.
While this change may seem radical, why not strive for a Curitiba at a Santa Fe level? As people we have voices, so I encourage you write for your community and talk to legislators about proposing a bill that will incentivize renewables through affordable loans. Change is in the people’s hands.