Although Hurricane Katrina was a horrible tragedy, let's look at what we can learn from it. Let's not consider it just an act of God.
Global climate change is undisputed by the scientific community. As the global temperature rises, there will be more storms. Evaporation from the increased temperature will bring more moisture into the atmosphere.
As water temperatures rise, storms will become more violent, as hurricanes build to greater strengths when fed by warm waters. As water levels rise, more areas will be at risk. We will see increasingly violent storms in the future.
Disregarding the current spike caused by Hurricane Katrina, energy prices will continue to rise. Demand is exploding in countries such as India and China. Prices will rise. Future petroleum will cost more to extract, and we will use increasingly destructive technology to extract it.
We must kick the petroleum habit before it drains our federal coffers, kills more of our brave young men, and destroys our health and our environment.
Wind power is now as cost-efficient as oil. The Plains states have the potential to produce vast amounts of this kind of clean, renewable energy.
Biodiesel, an EPA-certified fuel made from soybeans, can be used in a minimally modified diesel engine. It gets the same mileage and has the same performance as one running on oil-based fuel, and it produces much less pollution.
Hydrogen cars are being tested on the road right now. If we took the money we are spending in Iraq and used it to develop renewable energy at home, our economy would benefit.
Instead we choose to pump billions into oppressive regimes that use the profits to buy our military hardware.
Talk to your elected officials, for your sake and that of your children.
Roland M. Herrmann
Spotsylvania