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I like to think Environment Colorado
is more than the sum of our issues. Of
course we care about renewable energy,
developing a state strategy to combat
global warming, implementing smart
growth strategies that lead to more livable
communities and protecting the forests
and lands that define Colorado.
We are also about getting our state to
look at the impacts of our decisions – 10,
20 and 100 years out. One of the biggest
threats to the environment and our
quality of life is our refusal to extend our
horizon when we make policy.
Evidence continues to accumulate that
burning fossil fuels leads to levels of atmospheric
carbon dioxide causing serious
worldwide harm. Solutions exist but the
longer we wait the more disruptions we
will cause.
Or look at our forests. Jared Diamond in
his recent book, “Collapse”, on why some
societies fail and others succeed, identifies deforestation as a leading indicator
of problems. He points to the role forests
play in everything from soil conservation
to water quality.
Apologists for short-term environmental
thinking point to future technological
advances and markets as the solution.
Unfortunately technologies only change
or adapt when we begin to invest in them
and markets react based on the incentives
and penalties built into them.
Last year Coloradans demonstrated we
can think ahead and make investments
that will protect our environment, and
enhance our quality of life. Both FasTracks and Amendment 37 are examples
of the people leading the decision-makers.
Taking its cue from the people, the
Colorado Legislature also started to look
beyond the present tense. They passed
measures to conserve natural gas, require
appliance manufacturers to create energy
efficient products, require environmental
planning for new private toll roads and
develop water conservation programs.
Unfortunately, Gov. Owens vetoed most
of these commonsense and progressive
proposals. Most of his reasoning revolved
around letting markets take care of these
problems. This tells me we still have a
lot of work to do, but I have no doubt
that with the people of Colorado leading
the way, even the governor will start to
change his tune.
Sincerely,
Matt Baker
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