-How much solar can truly be deployed and operational each year for ten years?
-How much wind power can truly be deployed and operational each year for ten years?
-How many car miles can new mass transit take out of the mix for each of the next ten years?
-How many car miles can new policies take out of the mix for each of the next ten years, e.g., closing all drive-throughs in the US, no vehicle idling laws worldwide, no speed limits over 55mph, no private air transportation for business and almost all of government officials?
-How much carbon would be reduced through requiring building energy and water use retrofits each year for the next ten years?
-How much of the rainforests can we realistically believe we can protect each year for the next ten years?
-How many trees can we plant each year and what carbon will they sequester each year for ten years?
-Based on new mileage efficiency standards and banning any cars and trucks getting below 20 mpg, how much carbon do we reduce each year over ten years?
-At least in the United States and Europe, how much carbon do we save if we ban construction of all new coal fired plants and nuclear plants?
-Based on banning any lighting except CFC and LED, how much carbon do we save?
-Based on requiring businesses (large and small) to reduce their carbon footprint by 5%/year over 10 years, what do we save?
-Etc. of existing technolgy solutions that can reduce carbon and conserve water.

None of the above, faced with an urgent global problem, seem that difficult to assess, divide into shares and accomplish. They clearly need to go further especially in the US to force us to use and consume less and recycle and save more. Based on these realistic implementation assessments with measurable commitments by each developed country with some level of commitment by China and India to smart growth, how far off the mark are we? Then we add in what carbon sequestration and other carbon strategies can buy us and factor them into arriving at a plan that beats the carbon target we set. One other thing we have to add is energy use growth for the energy impoverished. Developing countries can’t develop unless they have reliable energy. The developed world will have to take a lot more of the share in reductions in addition to giving and enabling renewable energy technology and resources for developing countries.

The IPCC tried to develop a target and get international commitment and the US, under Bush, was no help. The IPCC’s target is too high, the commitments are two weak, the accountability is non-existent, and probably worst of all, the plan does not include real implementation commitments, measurement, and reporting. I have seen lots of plans like Plan B 3.0, but nothing so far that really says this how we the US or we the world are going to make the goal.

I am a big believer in shared, common purpose brings results and what you measure is what you get. I am also very concerned about the realism of some of the ideas out there.

Using an example from a different issue, I am all for healthcare reform. It is important and urgent here in the US. However, I don’t see a systems-thinking approach being applied, no trials of ideas, etc. Our healthcare system has a certain stock (number of labs, hospitals, doctors, nurses, etc.). If overnight or even over a couple of years we add 40% more people to the system, our current system is likely to collapse. It doesn’t have the stock to support that kind of demand on the stock of the system. In fact, just applying some lean principles, like having a lot more Work in Process slows down a system almost exponentially. By blindly adding 40% to the system, it is likely not to function for as many people as it does today. Again, we have not taken a backcasting approach. What is it that we want say five years from now for our healthcare system. I have no problem with a goal of healthcare should be available to every US citizen. I do want it privately run and be a system that supports choices by the patient within a independently vetted set of guidelines. What additional stock has to be put in place to provide a healthcare system that can support 40% more people? It really isn’t so much about insurance coverage as it is a fixing and growing a system that doesn’t work well now and continually experiences cost increases well beyond inflation.

Without defining and agreeing on the future we want, whether in healthcare or related to climate change, we can figure out what realistically can be accomplished then commit and measure those implementation commitments. I don’t think this can start on a world stage however. It has to start here in the US where we have the most to reduce in energy and water consumption. We can’t expect the world to get on board when we haven’t and only just now appearing to take some steps. Congress’ vote that we can’t do anything to support climate change action if it has potential to jeopardize our economy is an example that it wasn’t just Bush that has been out to lunch. We were all out to lunch. Perhaps the economic crisis is the best thing that could have happened to us?! We are spending less, consuming less, more aware of the importance of savings, etc. I hate the greed and fraud that brought it about, but it probably couldn’t have come at a better time for us to reassess how we view the world and ourselves.

I am going to keep demanding real policy and rule changes, as well as implementation plans from all my representatives. I think CCS has to be part of the plan.

Sorry for the long ramble, but was teed off by a response I got from one of my representatives and your positive ramble saved my day.

Debbie