Opinion
Should the U.S. Government Lead the Nation in Finding
Solutions to Global Warming?
by Paul J. Hirsch, President, Madison Government Affairs
With the world beginning to take the issue of
climate change seriously, the U.S. Government has the responsibility to
lead the nation in finding viable solutions.
Changing the way this nation approaches the
consumption of energy to meet the ever-changing needs of a modern society
is the issue that should be addressed by our leaders. We should not be looking
for ways to side-step the issue. Continuing to rely on imported oil while
“sticking our heads in the sand” or asking that a major segment
of our nation be exempt from complying with national policy is only delaying
the inevitable. What we should be doing is developing new methods to fuel
our industrial, residential, and technological needs.
In the past, the United States military has
been intimately involved in changing the way our society conducts itself.
For example, the integration of our society really started with integration
of the Armed Forces during the Truman Administration. The Armed Forces have
led the way in job opportunities and workplace equality for women in our
society long before it was the politically correct thing to do in the civilian
workplace. Therefore, it would not be unexpected for our leaders within
the Armed Forces to again step up to the task of reducing our dependence
on imported oil by looking to alternative fuels which would, by definition,
assist the U.S. in the “global warming” debate.
By actively pursuing alternative fuels, such
as hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, and implementation for both tactical
and nontactical vehicles, the U.S. Department of Defense could again help
lead the way in a major societal shift. As important, the DOD could project
a reduction of fossil fuel consumption and begin to lead in a readdressing
of its force-structure and infrastructure. An active role in the reduction
of global warming does not have to lead to a reduction in the safety or
security of our armed forces.
Rather than look for ways to side-step the global
warming issue, Administration officials should be forwarding technologies
that reduce society’s adverse affect on the environment. The National
Hydrogen Association would welcome a dialogue whereby our members could
assist the Department of Defense, as well as other departments and agencies,
in meeting the challenges of a society that cannot remain fossil fuel dependent.
The NHA looks forward to hearing from our public officials.
[Paul Hirsch is a government relations consultant with more than
25 years of experience. He is President of Madison Government Affairs, with
offices in Washington, D.C., and Newport News, Virginia. He can be contacted
through Clear Air Now! or via eMail at pjhmga@aol.com.]
©1998. All Rights Reserved. A Publication of
the National Hydrogen Association.
This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
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