No time for despair as action, hope needed

We have new energy crisis deniers elected to Congress, but don’t assume this represents the will of the people. This election cycle has allowed corporations to assert unprecedented influence, i.e. money, big oil and dirty coal have spent $70 million on energy-related attack ads and put $20 million directly into the pockets of their allies running for Congress. That is on top of the $500 million spent previously. Sen. Mike Crapo had previously received more than $200,000 from “big oil.”

But grassroots folks are sure of the need for climate action, In California, voters defeated Prop 23 by an impressive 61 percent , voters cutting down the dirty energy ballot measure supported by Texas oil companies, and uphold California’s groundbreaking law to cut pollution and encourage clean energy innovation.

We the people must continue to organize and volunteer to help. Sandpoint Transitive Initiative, Idaho Conservation League, Pachamama symposia and many more initiatives here carry the torch. In the Gulf, Audubon alone reports “34,500 and counting” volunteers helping with the BP oil spill disaster. No time for despair, but continued hope and action.

JEAN MARYBORN

Sandpoint