There Are Problems, but There Also Are Solutions

Chronicle editors,
    Environmentalists often communicate information in the “problem/solution” format. The problem with listeners/readers/viewers such as your recent writer Chrystia Wynnyk [“Postmarks” online, July 31] is that they react so strongly to the defining of a problem(s) that they never hear the solution(s) and rapidly accuse environmentalists of being against everything. That is not the case. Please consider what we are for in this hopefully short-enough letter. Environmental organizations are fighting at the local, state, and federal level for greatly increased efficiency measures across all sectors of our society. Increasing efficiency reduces the electricity load. Efficiency combined with fast-upcoming renewables – such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy – cancel any need for expensive, polluting new coal or nuke plants. Efficiency and renewables will yield all of the power we need to run reasonable and comfortable lives. We can eventually phase out our reliance on the coal, gas, and nukes that are making life too rough on the planet. To recap, environmental groups are for greatly increased efficiency and clean renewable energy.
    Economic studies, citizen efforts, and policy trends are for efficiency and renewables! The technology is here, and you may have noticed this month that Austinites are winning the Kill-a-Watt Challenge and both the Texas Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Congress are getting it, too! Yay! Now hear this, environmentalists are for clean-energy solutions – efficiency and renewables!