Here, as we rotate on our above average orb, we are in need of
solutions to cut the costs and dangers of bringing energy to a
constantly consuming populace.  There are many complicated
connections to our use of energy.  When I speak of costs, I do not
mean just a dollar amount for a kilowatt-hour used.  COSTS also
include the extraction of a product (coal, uranium, etc.) that becomes
the ingredient used to generate electricity.




One major COST not often thought of is the HEALTH EFFECT on the humans
who are involved with the extraction, refinement, transport,
implementation, and subsequent manufacture of energy.  Removing
coal from the ground is a highly dangerous activity.  Moving it
especially by rail or barge, adds particulates to our air.  The
fuel created to use in barges and trains has its own cycle of adverse
health effects.




Those of us who are not directly involved with any of these aspects are
still recipients of the fallout from electricity production. 
MERCURY from coal-fired plants probably ties with NUCLEAR  PLANTS
as the top two culprits.




But first and foremost, all of us should be more concerned about
necessary behavior changes.  CONSUMING LESS is our best
defense.  A book entitled “HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?” published in 1992
by the WORLD WATCH INSTITUTE touches on this: “To rejuvenate the ethic
of sufficiency, a critical mass of individuals committed to living by
it must emerge.  But if they are to succeed, they must balance
their efforts to change themselves with a bold agenda to challenge the
laws, institutions, and interests that profit from profligacy.”




This is not an easy task.  I know.  I have often times tried
returning to the simple ways of how things were when I was very
young.  I have not replaced my microwave, which quit working
nearly 3 years ago.  I really only miss microwaved popcorn. 
I certainly work at not driving anywhere on my days off, but that
sometimes ends up only working for one of my days off a week.  The
one thing I prefer not to revert to (unless things escalated to that
point) is to use an outhouse.  We had one from the time I was 6
till about 9.  Functional, but inconvenient.




It is great and necessary to build wind turbines and use more solar
collectors.  But, we desperately have to change our consumptive
behavior.  If not, forces beyond our control will force us into a
corner we are not ready for yet.  So don’t just cut down on your
driving because gas is over $2.25 a gallon, make it a permanent
change.  Become part of the new wave of believers that LESS IS
MORE.  As the man said, “SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY.




Next Saturday, April 16th at AUGUSTANA COLLEGE in ROCK ISLAND, Illinois, there
will be a PROGRESSIVE FORUM AND SUMMIT.  This has been organized
by  Progressive Action For the Common Good.  This is a group
of Quad-Cities citizens working toward the COMMON GOOD. The keynote
speaker will be Tom Higgins, former IOWA state legislator, former aide
to President Jimmy Carter, and AIDS activist.




There will be issue workshops to choose from. These include ENERGY
INDEPENDENCE (I will be co-facilitating), POVERTY AND HOUSING, PEACE
AND NON-VIOLENCE, EDUCATION, CIVIL RIGHTS, CORPORATE POWER vs 
DEMOCRACY, and many others.




This will be held from 9am to Noon at WALLENBURG AUDITORIUM in DENKMANN
HALL.  The address is 7th AVENUE & 35TH ST, ROCK ISLAND. 
For more information contact  CATHY BOLKCOM AT (563) 289-4155 or
CBArts4@aol.com or you can see the website www.qcprogressiveaction.org




We will be brainstorming at the workshops as to what we can do
individually and collectively to better the standing of everyone in
our communities.  This is how it starts, with an idea.  Come
join us.  It will be fun and enlightening.  We need your
input.




And don’t forget:  CPR…CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE