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In my previous post, I shared how the mayor of Denver, Colorado (Mayor John Hickenlooper) has worked with his people to develop a "climate action plan." The plan not only contains the over arching goal of saving the planet and reducing CO2 emissions by 4.4 million metric tons by 2020, it also includes a list of possible 'sacrifices' that could be place on the citizens of Denver. Bear in mind these have not yet been approved, but obviously the Mayor will be working to make it happen.

For energy conservation
- mandate efficiency standards for new construction
- set efficiency standards for older homes (to be enforced upon sale)
- incentives for car pooling and use of hybrids, priority parking

Waste and recycling
- cut back on landfill use (methane gas contributes to global warming)
- encourage recycling
- charge each household a new fee of $10/month for trash collection
- charge residents based on the amount of trash they throw away
- higher rates for "excessive" use of electricity and natural gas
- use auto insurance premiums to penalize people who drive long distances

So if I live in Denver and have a family, my portion of the cost to avert global warming might look like this:

- Price of new homes going up to accommodate energy standards.
- Bringing my current home up to energy standards when I sell it.
- May need to purchase a new vehicle or resort to car pooling
- More mandatory recycling programs
- A new garbage fee of $10 per month with additional fees if I have extra garbage
- Higher energy rates - for who? Single family dwelling? Excessive homes (Al Gore and John Edwards)? Business? Industry? What is excessive?
- Pay higher auto insurance premiums because I have a longer than average commute to my job, or because my children have a number of activities and private lessons.

That's what is on the list so far, but they can certainly come up with a few more ways. Well, if the Mayor and his people say this is necessary, then we all best go along with it. I know the Mayor would not impose these controls on the people of Denver unless he could be certain it was necessary. It must be necessary and good, and after only 12 years we will have eliminated 4.4 million metric tons of CO2 emissions.

djbtol

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