Global Warmer

OK, it's true. I produce more than my fair share of carbon emissions so I guess I'm a global warmer. But, do those emissions really contribute to climate change? I'm not a scientist so anything I say on the subject carries little weight. But, I must say, I'm just not convinced. I realize that global warming is a real phenomenon, I just don't believe it's being caused by human activity.

Even so, the practice of conservation (reduce, reuse, recycle) and the development of alternative fuels are imperative. These ideas make sense for several obvious reasons, not the least of which is financial. When we use less by reducing our consumption, reusing what we have, and recycling our trash, we save money (I'm all for saving money!) and that makes an immediate impact on the quality of life for our families.

Of course, when we practice these principles, we save energy and resources for later use and that benefits everyone. Little things like turning the water off when you're brushing your teeth or turning the lights off when not in use will really add up when we all do it.

Another practice that will provide an immediate financial impact is recycling. For example, the current price paid for aluminum cans is about $.60 per pound. A pound is about 30 cans making them worth about two cents each. I usually get between $15 and $20 for 45 gallons of crushed cans. Free money! And, again, this practice benefits everyone as it causes our resources to last longer.

Equally important is the development and use of alternative energy sources. This would allow us as a nation to be energy independent and keep more money in our struggling economy where it is desperately needed. In addition, we would send less money to foreign lands where it frequently lands in the hands of our enemies, the terrorists. Osama bin Laden's family's $5 billion fortune may have been made in the construction industry (the Economist, May 07, 2011), but their Saudi customers were almost certainly made wealthy by our oil dependence.

Regardless of what's causing global warming, the practice of conservation and the development of alternative energy are win-win ideas that need your support.