New group focusing on climate, energy issues

Climate change headlines are everywhere, on both the crisis and possible approaches: the strongest language yet with dire warnings from scientists of 113 countries, but also stunning new partnerships — major corporations and environmentalists, scientists and evangelicals.

So where do we turn? Where will we get the energy to meet our growing needs? Many citizens are hoping for renewables — water, wind, solar — that avoid the serious risks of air pollution and radioactive wastes of the coal or nuclear plants Avista wonders it might need. The state plan looks to the easiest solution, "the fruit low on the tree" — conservation. It can make a big difference, can actually save the need for new power plants.

Many folks are not aware of the enormous savings available through the old-time ethic of saving. Many kids growing up in an age of plenty, however relative, have no concept of simply flipping off lights they are not using. And now for a small investment we can screw in a new compact fluorescent light bulb that will lower our electric bill. East Coast utilities have subsidized them to avoid new power plants.

The newly formed Climate Change Action Network (Climate CAN) will offer energy saving tips, and a dynamite movie, "Kilowatt Ours," this Friday, Feb. 9, 3-5 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 10, 2-4 p.m., at the East Bonner County Library, 1407 Cedar St, Sandpoint. A brief video by high school senior Michael Bond is a bonus. It's a start. Also see wwwClimateCAN.org.

JEAN MARYBORN

Sandpoint