Clean fuels are a social panacea - EPA.

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://wwwp.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/aspen/clean-fuels-to-the-rescue

Clean fuels are a social panacea - EPA.

"It’s extraordinary to be at a time where one answer answers so many extraordinary big issues."

26 March 2009

By Douglas Fischer
Daily Climate editor

ASPEN – Shifting the United States to clean-burning renewable fuels has the potential to cut through a thicket of thorny social ills and solve long-standing problems across the entire spectrum of American life, from manufacturing to national security to clean water, the country’s top environmental cop said on Wednesday.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson spoke before 150 scientists, lawyers, industry executives, activists and others gathered at this alpine town for a three-day conference on the country’s energy future.

She said weaning the country from fossil fuels remains a top priority of the Obama administration because it offers such a broad suite of solutions across all aspects of American life: rewarding innovation, discouraging pollution, investing in jobs and encouraging energy independence.

“It’s extraordinary to be at a time where one answer answers so many extraordinary big issues,” she said.

…

[kristopher]

1. “It’s extraordinary to be at a time where one answer answers so many extraordinary big issues”

That's exactly how I feel.

Remember the Chinese blessing? May you live in interesting times.

[pscot]

2. She meant to say Placebo, right?

One answer for all our "issues". Methinks she's talking out of her ass.

[kristopher]

3. That word wasn't a quote from Jackson

It was the headline selected by the journalist.

I'd say that your opinion is a minority position. Rejecting fossil fuels for renewable energy addresses *the* major distortion in our foreign trade and diplomatic policy.

It is a major source of high quality jobs.

It is the only way to address climate change.

It address many of our worst pollution problems.

Sounds like she is spot on to me, and I'm proud to be part of the transition.

[GliderGuider]

4. Only if you can displace enough fossil fuels to have an impact

And prevent a simple movement of fossil fuel consumption to other nations.
And avoid a rebound effect.
And not introduce any unintended consequences.

If you can do all that, then maybe...

Of course there's still the small problem of the impact of unabated, fuel-driven human activity on the global ecosphere. But I guess reducing distortions in American foreign trade and diplomatic policy is worth small prices like that.

Ya never change, kris. You remain a beacon of righteous certainty in an world of probability waves.

[pscot]

5. Surfing probability waves is a dangerous game

Righteous certainty lets you sleep better.

[kristopher]

6. Righteous certaintly?

Not really. I just recognize humans as a legitimate part of the universe and the earth's environment, warts and all. Do we have serious problems facing our species? Sure we do, no one but a disciple of Sean Hannity denies that.

Your approach is to stop trying and blather on about spiritual awakenings that aren't in our basic chemistry and mine is to take action to try and deal with the problems.

You claim your perspective is informed by reason, but I don't see it. I really think you need professional help. Frankly I don't see a difference between your beliefs and that of someone who is depressed and a danger to them self.

[GliderGuider]

7. I've never claimed that my current perspective is informed by reason.

I did make such claims about my previous worldview, but I was wrong. The worldview itself wasn't wrong of course, just my attribution of it to reason.

Spiritual viewpoints aren't in our basic chemistry? Where did that come from? They've been around at least as far back as we've been able to decipher the anthropological record. Spirituality has just as much claim to be innate as reason and logic. That's what our dualism is all about -- you can't have just one side of a coin.

You really think I'm a danger to myself? The only thing I think I'm a danger to is your peace of mind.

[kristopher]

8. Spiritual viewpoints are inescapable

There are as many spiritual awakenings as there are minds with malfunctioning pattern recognition centers, so depending on a universal adoption of the one you think is our only hope is no hope at all.

Your beliefs as I've observed them lead to an almost inevitable conclusion. You've related the personal costs you've already paid, please consider the possibility that there may be a physiological basis for your perspective.

[GliderGuider]

9. You may be projecting

My spiritual perspectives are my own. I don't "depend on a universal adoption" of any of my beliefs. I don't even ask anyone to share them. I do write about them a bit, and others can consider whether there might be something useful there for themselves. My spiritual position is pretty garden-variety compared to some of the stuff out there, and even compared to some pretty mainstream things like omnipotent invisible sky daddies. Unquestionably my position has evolved as my understanding has grown and the situation has changed. To stay stuck in one position as things change around me doesn't strike me as sensible, so I do try to grow.

"Physiological". Mmmm, I'm touched by your concern. I'll give that all the consideration it deserves.