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VPR Setting a Poor Example
VPR Setting a Poor Example
Editor:
On Saturday, September 24th, hundreds of Vermonters will travel from all over the state to attend the Moving Planet Vermont – Leading the World to Climate Solutions rally at the statehouse to call attention to the need to address climate change immediately with bold and creative action (350vt.org). They will try to get there using the least carbon fuel possible, and many will walk or bicycle.
On September 15th another group of Vermonters will climb aboard a jet plane in Burlington to fly to Scotland to enjoy a tour sponsored by Vermont Public Radio. According to calculations derived from the book, "How Bad Are Bananas?: The Carbon Footprint of Everything," each of the persons going on the trip will add the equivalent of over two tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
In the face of the fact the global warming is already having a major impact, not on just the rest of the world but on Vermont as well, the VPR board should reconsider its position on sponsoring these trips. Millions of people are already suffering from global warming because of heat, fires, drought, flooding, and food shortages. Adding so much carbon dioxide to the atmosphere just for our own pleasure should now be considered immoral.
If we hope to leave a livable planet to our children and grandchildren we need to not just change our light bulbs. We also need to change our lifestyles and think about every gallon of fuel we use from how large we keep our lawns to how often we fly in jet planes. VPR should be a moral leader and set a good and powerful example on how to respond to global warming.
George Plumb
Washington
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