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Hotter tomorrows
When it comes to getting greener, this is no time for Southerners to procrastinate
Date published: 8/24/2007
CULTURE AND HERITAGE make Evidence suggests that Southerners are less inclined than other Americans to adjust their habits based on emerging climate-change data. They drive more and use more electricity and are less apt to choose energy-efficient vehicles and appliances. Also, Southern states have generally been slower than others to prepare anti-warming strategies. These are some of the findings from a new book, "Getting Greener: Progressive Environmental Ideas for the American South." It's by L. Edward Moore for the Center for a Better South in Charleston, S.C. Mr. Moore's findings should resonate with Southerners who recognize the gravity of abrupt climate change--natural, manmade, or both--and serve as a wake-up call for everyone else. Otherwise, as the South continues to grow, so will its contribution to greenhouse gases. According to U.S. Census figures published at the end of 2006, more than half of the nation's population growth during the previous year had occurred in Southern states. The burgeoning population includes both foreign immigrants and Americans from other states drawn by the warm climate, jobs, and cheaper housing. It is in each Southern state's interest to set goals and sketch a roadmap for achieving them. The South is hot, and it seems will get only hotter. The South is a primary hurricane target, and the storms may be getting more fierce. The South has invested heavily in coastal development, and that makes it vulnerable to rising sea levels. Mr. Moore found that if one compares individual U.S. states' atmosphere-warming emissions with those of the rest of the world's nations, 34 states--including every Southern state--are among the planet's top 75 emitters. Looking at household use of electricity, 12 Southern states--Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas--comprise the nation's top 12 average monthly electricity users, ranging from 12 percent to 42 percent above the U.S. average. Regarding driving, every Southern state except Louisiana exceeds the national average for per capita miles driven, ranging from Virginia, at 105 percent, to Alabama, at 135 percent. Not only would Southerners save money by choosing more efficient vehicles, they also would cut overall auto emissions. Eventually, these and other sources of greenhouse-gas emissions probably will have to be capped or reduced in accordance with a mandate from on high. States would further their own interests by helping the industries within their borders soften their environmental impacts, or by bringing countermeasures, such as cleaner alternative energy sources, into play wherever appropriate. Better that, says Mr. Moore, than a federal agency issuing ultimatums with severe economic consequences. Unlike North Carolina and Florida, for example, Virginia has taken no concrete steps toward developing an emissions-reduction plan, or even establishing a panel to formulate one. Many Southerners apparently share Scarlet O'Hara's view--"I'll think about that tomorrow"--but eventually the tomorrows run out.
Date published: 8/24/2007
blissfully ignorant
(posted by
mims
, Dec. 10, 2007 11:58 pm)
Dear Sirs,
I aplogize for not knowing your first name. You are possibly scared, ashamed, or both. I am curious as to how you define the term Southerner. Is it someone like myself, who lives less than one hour from the graves of my Parents, Grandparents[both sides], Greatgrandparents[all four sides], and various relatives? Or is it someone from the north, who moved here to escape their failed lives, neighbors, or obnoxious relatives? Either way, your opinion appears to be MYOPTIC at best. If we dri
Oh do forgive us
(posted by
patrick4hp
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
My my my, that attack duck just doesn't have the gentility that it takes to be a Southerner. Please kindly ignore his water vapor remark, it gives me the vaporrs too, oh where are my smelling salts? If it makes any difference, I am a Southerner and drive a Yaris, great gas milage, and I still have electic windows too, makes it more convenient to lower the windows in fog, because sometimes it can get so sultry down here. And i do reuse my bags from the Ukrops, which has pralines and cream ice cream too!
I'm not very surprised
(posted by
biko
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
by the findings cited in the article. My guess is that some of the higher electricity consumption is linked to warmer climate. But I wonder if comparatively high rates of driving and energy consumption (TV, and other inactivities) is associated with other factors that are statistically associated with the US South as a region, such as higher obesity rates, and poorer scores on literacy and education tests?
Stats
(posted by
AtackDuck
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Lies, damn lies & statistics. Where did Mr. Moore get his numbers? It seems that Mr. Moore's solution is more & bigger government. Just what is our contribution to controllable greenhouse emissions? What is a realistic reduction of those gases, that won't bankrupt us? Are we to reduce water vapor, which is about 95% of all greenhouse gases?
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