Act on global warming science and create a strong new 21st century economy.

By Linda Small

Global warming presents a clear opportunity as well as a clear danger. American know-how can use today's technology to help protect our children from the worst of extreme weather and pollution while creating a strong 21st century clean energy economy

We owe it to our children to learn the science and act. PA is the world's 18th largest economy, our policies make a difference. PA's gives the fossil fuel industry subsidies worth billions through various tax breaks. It's time to end the subsidies. We must increase the PA alternative energy portfolio standards and enact time-limited incentives for wind, hydro, solar and energy efficiency so that they compete on a level playing field. Every appropriate school and government building should install solar panels and energy efficient equipment with state help.

Economists find that the costs to transform our energy system are much less than the costs of dealing with global warming, just .06% of GDP. The benefits in clean air, lower health care costs, lower energy costs and real energy independence are clear. We will create many more good jobs for future generations. We must insist on a PA Climate Action Plan with clear objectives to transform our economy with renewable energy and slow global warming.

We can rise to the challenge and make the biggest economic transformation since..., well, since we adopted fossil fuels in the first place. Our children and grandchildren are depending on us!