Dec 11, 2008
At the very top of our lawmakers' agenda for change, should be moving the U.S. toward a clean energy economy that transcends fossil fuels and nuclear power. Generating electricity from renewable energy sources is possible today, and with support from lawmakers backing a thoughtful energy policy, these alternatives are poised to become mainstream. Conservation and increased efficiency must be a part of this policy. In the next four years, it is imperative that we develop more wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, ocean thermal, wave and other emerging forms of green power and reduce our dependence on the dirtiest of polluters - coal, oil, gas and nuclear.
As a safe energy activist for over thirty years, I've stood side-by-side with grassroots organizations and communities fighting the nuclear industry - from protesting uranium mining on Navajo lands, to blockading the construction of nuclear reactors and raising my voice to "Stop Yucca Mountain" (the proposed nuclear waste facility in Nevada that will cost taxpayers $90 billion to build). The nuclear industry is gearing up again, despite the fact that it can't secure private financing or insurance for construction of new reactors. If a change in our energy policy is going to come in the next four years, our lawmakers need to prioritize the mainstreaming of truly clean and renewable energy technologies. These technologies are as great for our economy as they are for the environment, and offer us hope for turning around our current global crisis. I ask that our lawmakers take these next four years to get us on the right track to energy independence, before we're too far gone.
While the economy here and around the world is in a historic crisis, with gas prices lowering, the tendency is to pull back on prioritizing the powerful green revolution that has picked up incredible steam the last few years. But it is crucial that we keep up the pressure on our legislators to push for better fuel standards, stronger environmental protections and proactively stimulating green technologies. We already have the means to switch to alternative energy and the jobs they create are a crucial part of the solution for our most serious problems: recession, unemployment, rapid environmental deterioration from global warming, and the continuing nightmare of our failed foreign policy, in great part due to our decades of dependence on controlling foreign oil.
With the election of Barack Obama, the American people have clearly mandated real change in how we do business. It is wonderful that he is starting off this new era reiterating his strong commitment to developing green alternative fuels and protections, including making any talk of bail outs conditional on significant shifts to new fuel efficiency. Now is the time for us to keep the pressure on, not letting the current financial crisis or expanding war efforts sway us away from our goal for a more sustainable, peaceful and prosperous green future. The green revolution stretches across all party lines, generations and national borders. We have the solution to our problems right here, right now at hand. There has never been a more crucial time to stay involved.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt is a musician and activist. In August of 2007, along with fellow musicians Jackson Browne and Graham Nash and longtime energy activists Harvey Wasserman and Tom Campbell, she helped organize NukeFree.org as an ongoing grassroots campaign and website working against the nuclear industry.
At the very top of our lawmakers' agenda for change, should be moving the U.S. toward a clean energy economy that transcends fossil fuels and nuclear power. Generating electricity from renewable energy sources is possible today, and with support from lawmakers backing a thoughtful energy policy, these alternatives are poised to become mainstream. Conservation and increased efficiency must be a part of this policy. In the next four years, it is imperative that we develop more wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, ocean thermal, wave and other emerging forms of green power and reduce our dependence on the dirtiest of polluters - coal, oil, gas and nuclear.
As a safe energy activist for over thirty years, I've stood side-by-side with grassroots organizations and communities fighting the nuclear industry - from protesting uranium mining on Navajo lands, to blockading the construction of nuclear reactors and raising my voice to "Stop Yucca Mountain" (the proposed nuclear waste facility in Nevada that will cost taxpayers $90 billion to build). The nuclear industry is gearing up again, despite the fact that it can't secure private financing or insurance for construction of new reactors. If a change in our energy policy is going to come in the next four years, our lawmakers need to prioritize the mainstreaming of truly clean and renewable energy technologies. These technologies are as great for our economy as they are for the environment, and offer us hope for turning around our current global crisis. I ask that our lawmakers take these next four years to get us on the right track to energy independence, before we're too far gone.
While the economy here and around the world is in a historic crisis, with gas prices lowering, the tendency is to pull back on prioritizing the powerful green revolution that has picked up incredible steam the last few years. But it is crucial that we keep up the pressure on our legislators to push for better fuel standards, stronger environmental protections and proactively stimulating green technologies. We already have the means to switch to alternative energy and the jobs they create are a crucial part of the solution for our most serious problems: recession, unemployment, rapid environmental deterioration from global warming, and the continuing nightmare of our failed foreign policy, in great part due to our decades of dependence on controlling foreign oil.
With the election of Barack Obama, the American people have clearly mandated real change in how we do business. It is wonderful that he is starting off this new era reiterating his strong commitment to developing green alternative fuels and protections, including making any talk of bail outs conditional on significant shifts to new fuel efficiency. Now is the time for us to keep the pressure on, not letting the current financial crisis or expanding war efforts sway us away from our goal for a more sustainable, peaceful and prosperous green future. The green revolution stretches across all party lines, generations and national borders. We have the solution to our problems right here, right now at hand. There has never been a more crucial time to stay involved.
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt is a musician and activist. In August of 2007, along with fellow musicians Jackson Browne and Graham Nash and longtime energy activists Harvey Wasserman and Tom Campbell, she helped organize NukeFree.org as an ongoing grassroots campaign and website working against the nuclear industry.
At the very top of our lawmakers' agenda for change, should be moving the U.S. toward a clean energy economy that transcends fossil fuels and nuclear power. Generating electricity from renewable energy sources is possible today, and with support from lawmakers backing a thoughtful energy policy, these alternatives are poised to become mainstream. Conservation and increased efficiency must be a part of this policy. In the next four years, it is imperative that we develop more wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, ocean thermal, wave and other emerging forms of green power and reduce our dependence on the dirtiest of polluters - coal, oil, gas and nuclear.
As a safe energy activist for over thirty years, I've stood side-by-side with grassroots organizations and communities fighting the nuclear industry - from protesting uranium mining on Navajo lands, to blockading the construction of nuclear reactors and raising my voice to "Stop Yucca Mountain" (the proposed nuclear waste facility in Nevada that will cost taxpayers $90 billion to build). The nuclear industry is gearing up again, despite the fact that it can't secure private financing or insurance for construction of new reactors. If a change in our energy policy is going to come in the next four years, our lawmakers need to prioritize the mainstreaming of truly clean and renewable energy technologies. These technologies are as great for our economy as they are for the environment, and offer us hope for turning around our current global crisis. I ask that our lawmakers take these next four years to get us on the right track to energy independence, before we're too far gone.
While the economy here and around the world is in a historic crisis, with gas prices lowering, the tendency is to pull back on prioritizing the powerful green revolution that has picked up incredible steam the last few years. But it is crucial that we keep up the pressure on our legislators to push for better fuel standards, stronger environmental protections and proactively stimulating green technologies. We already have the means to switch to alternative energy and the jobs they create are a crucial part of the solution for our most serious problems: recession, unemployment, rapid environmental deterioration from global warming, and the continuing nightmare of our failed foreign policy, in great part due to our decades of dependence on controlling foreign oil.
With the election of Barack Obama, the American people have clearly mandated real change in how we do business. It is wonderful that he is starting off this new era reiterating his strong commitment to developing green alternative fuels and protections, including making any talk of bail outs conditional on significant shifts to new fuel efficiency. Now is the time for us to keep the pressure on, not letting the current financial crisis or expanding war efforts sway us away from our goal for a more sustainable, peaceful and prosperous green future. The green revolution stretches across all party lines, generations and national borders. We have the solution to our problems right here, right now at hand. There has never been a more crucial time to stay involved.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.