If We Are Unwilling to Invest in the Future, We Won’t Have One

Asking politicians about their plans to reduce fossil fuel use sounds ominous. Everyone admits that this is going to be a hard thing to do. A little shared adversity can bring communities together, and I’m all for that. But, generally, I prefer to look on the positive side.

So, I like to think of reducing carbon emissions as being pro wise energy use, pro renewable energy, and most important, pro local communities. Why? Because in Ottawa, where I live, money spent on fossil fuels is money extracted from the local economy, local resources squandered, and opportunities lost. And that’s not taking us anywhere.

Locally-produced renewable energy supports local economies. And, taking action to upgrade homes, schools, churches, libraries, areas, hospitals and other urban infrastructure to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels means renewing our towns and cities, improving resilience, and making then better places to live.

Actions to reduce emissions from fossil fuels are an investment that supports our neighborhoods and will sustain our communities.

So, the real question for the politicians in this election is “Who is for making the investments and taking the actions needed to renew our communities and sustain us into the future?”

See also Anthem for Fossil-free Energy.