The news that the Environmental Protection Agency will delay promulgation of new greenhouse gas regulations is, in my view, another sign that in order to get anything done climate change activists are going to need more aggressive, more assertive tactics. Ultimately coping with this problem requires some major new legislation, but right now, we’re having trouble so much as getting existing Clean Air Act rules enforced.
Here’s one idea that I think is pretty clever:
Demonstration Details: In the tradition of jujitsu defense, The Global Warming Education Network will creatively use the strength and weight of our opponent (the gas-guzzling automobile) to send a clear message to our leaders: “Help us move to the efficient use of clean, renewable energy or we will move you.”
By going the speed limit on highways, thereby safely and legally slowing down traffic, we will increase our fuel efficiency, reduce highways accidents and deaths, and bring media attention to the critical need to preserve a livable climate.
Coordination between individuals, regions, and nations will help to maximize the effect of our action. So, we’re suggesting the action take place for 30 minutes beginning at noon local time on Saturday, December 3rd, 2011.
It’s not a bad first step. I don’t normally drive very much, but I’d make an exception to take part in this. I hope it’ll build momentum for the future. The real gains are almost certainly to be found in more-disruptive less-legal behavior like actually halting rush hour traffic. But a nice initial attention-getting not-very-demanding activist step is a good idea.
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