The Carrie plan
We will not be slaves to oil gas and energy suppliers again put them in their place plastic and asphalt Say Never again to High oil prices and energy dependence . 90% Oil, Coal, & Gas free Electricity and heat in every state in 2 yearsCold Geothermal see how it works hereSource http://www.chenahotsprings.com/index.php?id=90 Closed loop geothermal will work with temperature as low as 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.7777778 degree Celsius. This means every state can use it for at least 4 thousand years. See the geothermal map here http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/geomap.html It is cheep energy. How do we pay for it. Start every state will receive grants to cover the full cost of 50 percent of its energy needs worth of geothermal plants. The state will own the plants and can sell the energy to the electricity to electric companies. The profits from the plants will be used to build the remaining 40 % of the plants. The federal government will provide long term loans with no zero interest rates for the remaining 40% of the plants. The states then will set up a Permanent fund, from 20 percent of the profit’s the 10 % will go to health care 10 % to secondary education the remainder to go to the state to help provide government services and off set taxes. This will provide Jobs, it will end our dependence on foreign oil. It will provide each state with an additional source of income, It will provide funding for healthcare and education, It will make the home heating and electric bills cheaper leaving more money in your pocket, and its good for the environment. How cold Geo worksBecause the geothermal water at Chena Hot Springs never reaches the boiling point of water we cannot use a traditional steam driven turbine. Instead a secondary (hence, "binary") fluid, R-134a, which has a lower boiling point than water passes through a heat exchanger with 165°F water from our geothermal wells. Heat from the geothermal water causes the R-134a to flash to vapor which then drives the turbine. Because this is a closed loop system virtually nothing is emitted to the atmosphere. Moderate temperature is by far the most common geothermal resource and most geothermal power plants in the future will be binary cycle plants. Here are the steps in the cycle:STEP 1: Hot water enters the evaporator at 165ºF (480gpm). After the hot water runs through the evaporator, it is returned to the geothermal reservoir via our injection pump and injection well system. Some of the water is also used to heat buildings on site before it is reinjected. STEP 2: The evaporator shell is filled with R-134a, a common refrigerant found in many air conditioning systems. The 165ºF water entering the evaporator is not hot enough to boil water, but it is hot enough to boil the R-134a refrigerant. The evaporator is a giant heat exchanger, with the hot water never actually coming in contact with the refrigerant, but transferring heat energy to it. The R134a begins to boil and vaporize. STEP 3: On initial system startup, the vapor bypasses the turbine and returns directly to the condenser via a bypass valve. Once there is adequate boiling/evaporation of the refrigerant, the bypass valve closes and the vapor is routed to the turbine. STEP 4: The vapor is expanded supersonically through the turbine nozzle, causing the turbine blades to turn at 13,500rpm. The turbine is connected to a generator, which it spins at 3600rpm, producing electricity. STEP 5: Cooling Water enters from our cooling water well which is located 3000ft distant and 33ft higher elevation than the power plant. Cold water (40ºF-45ºF) is siphoned out of this well and supplied to the power plant condenser at a rate of 1500gpm. STEP 6: The cooling water entering the condenser and recondenses the vapor refrigerant back into a liquid. As in the evaporator, the condenser only allows heat transfer to occur between the refrigerant (in the shell) and the cold water (in the tubes within the condenser). The two liquids never actually come in contact. STEP 7: The pump pushes the liquid refrigerant back over to the evaporator, so the cycle can start again. By doing so, it also generates the pressure which drives the entire cycle.Source http://www.chenahotsprings.com/index.php?id=90

very important keep up the good work.  While you're at it, could you please vote for greenroofing the White house in the environment category?

Since Nixon started the War on Drugs, aka on Marijuana over40 years ago, the Federal Govt has wasted over 100 million dollars and people still ignore the law and have voted tolegalize Marijuana for medical use. Michigan did in Nov 08by vote.Suspend all Federal Laws against Marijuana and stop statefinancial grants in law enforcement> Where I live in Florida,the cutting money for education but still spends plenty on helicopter survailance to find people growing it in their back yards. This is nuts and a big waste of money.

Thank you Robin for this initiative.  There will always be change, and your work focusing on sustainability on solid grounds is much appreciated, and resonates. We can contrast this with any notion of change just for change's sake; movement of course is a key part of life, but striving for movement which brings longevity of values and practices is both reasonable and elevating.  Sincerely, LDMF, *Respectful Interfaces*, CCC/UN (my comments here are my own).

It also seems like this transition plan could be combined with the "already in the works" job creation via construction projects plan (see link).  Stimulate the economy with in-country jobs making this transition to different ways of life possible (e.g. more renewable energies would need a huge infrastructural transition especially considering how enormous the United States is).  Why not kill two birds with one stone?  It also seems that the approach to stimulate the economy not by spending more, but by building productive things, works in concert with this new "ethic."  Combine with education programs, it could be a win-win.  One thing left out of the plan is looking at food sources, the food industry, and a need to localize more and change eating habits.  Much talk of burgeoning health care costs and environmental pollution also work hand in hand.  Food travels very far distances to be at your table.  Health itself, terminal diseases, and general health care expenditures could be reduced if the focus shifted to food/diet/environment and prevention of disease via these means instead of cures and medications for diseases (see www.thechinastudy.com/) --why not create more infrastructure for cheaper whole grain/vegetable food that could come from local sources.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97933356

Excellent work, Rob.  You know I think your vision and that of those all over the world who are envisioning a sustainable future for an interdependent world that must learn to work and survive together, is inspiring.  I commend you in that work.  As a teacher, I also vow to help you with the piece that is most aligned to the future:  educating our children to become problem solvers and engaged actors in that sustainable world, excited to learn the emotional, social and cross-cultural intelligence skill sets they need connected to the science, math, technology, verbal and creative arts, that will empower them to seek and find new, innovative and diverse answers to these complex problems.  Since, as Confucius predicted, we all now do live in such "interesting times", we ought to be able to engage children naturally in those interests for a truly sustainable model of humans problem solving intelligently, together.  Great work!

Hi Robbie: Great work. Thanks for all the energy and inspiration by the way we're coming to SF over Xmas and New Year. ,

Dear Rob, Some opportunities are too good to miss. Wish you the best with your laudable initiative. I did already send a letter to the Obama campaign to propose Jim Starry, an American inventor 'extraordinaire' for the staff or as advisor on environmental solutions.

Please be aware that in the formula to calculate sustainability, one of the key variables is population.  Ultimately, there can be no sustainability if the population keeps growing.  We must have a global program to humanely encourage zero population growth if we are to have any chance to create a sustainable civilization.

Dear Millard, 
Your note certainly speaks truth. However this is one of the wonderful things that could occur from rolling out a national dialogue in order to develop and implement the National Strategy Plan. Proposals for such a global program as you are suggesting could be broadly discussed. One of the major problems with the UN is that seldom are sufficient funds put forward or put in place to implement the programs that are agreed to. 
As we develop a national dialogue it will become clearer and clearer that we have to fund the programs that are needed and that most of them will actually pay over themselves over the long run, and many even over the short term. Reducing population growth in the poorer parts of the developing world coupled with reducing levels of resource consumption in the richer parts of the world is what is needed. Let's do it. 
Rob

Hi Rob.  I voted for your proposal.  I also submitted a proposal to start a nationwide youth movement called Earth Keepers. The movement would go a long way towards seeing your organizations principles are integrated into mainstream America.   It is also in the environmental conservation category. Last it was at the 13th spot. Like you, I have always believed that we need to live closer the the Earth.  Please take a look at my proposal.  Together we can make sure our ideas become reality.

Dear Martin, 
a couple of thoughts about your proposal. First I think it is great. I remember quite fondly all of my scouting days, so why not revitalize these experiences with the focus and awareness that we need to protect and restore the natural environment and create a sustainable future. The development and implementation of a National Strategy could be a great way to introduce the idea to the American public and to build support for it. So, why not work with us to promote the National Strategy idea and ensure that it has a strong youth component and participation.
Several other suggestions - check on Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots to see how similar their activities might be and if they would want to somehow collaborate with you. Second, UNEP has a program called Pacha Mamma with a global youth counsel. they have produced a kid's book on GEO 2000 the state of the environment and earth. Another possible source of collaboration and a good resource tool. Raffi has done a couple of songs for the Earth Charter that are great and other songs re environment that kids love. For the past 6 or 8 years he has developed and led a Child Honoring effort that you should check out: http://www.raffinews.com/sustainability/child-honouring
Also you might want to check out what Scholastic Magazine is doing with kids: http://www.scholastic.com/actgreen/ and then there is the whole environmental education movement that may be interested in this idea. 
Thanks again, 
Rob Wheeler

Right on!  My only concern is that when the government appoints commisions and conducts studies, they spend lots of money, waste tons of paper on unread reports, and nothing gets done.

There is nothing more important for the US and the world than that we take action now to satisfy our appetite for energy without carbon.  Here’s some basic chemistry to keep in mind.  Carbon has an atomic weight of about 12 (ignoring small fractional differences introduced by averaging in various isotopes), and Oxygen 16.  Burn a ton of “clean coal”, and you get 3 and 2/3 tons of CO2!!  Yes, it is technically possible to capture and store CO2.  I said possible, not practical.  Given the costs in dollars and energy to capture, compress, transport and "sequester" CO2, this is just not an idea that has a great deal of merit.  Given the current state of CO2 recovery technology, “clean coal” is the world’s worst oxymoron!

Yes yes, I know, you never said anything about "clean coal".  I just needed to get that off of my chest.

Brad,
The US Citizens Network for Sustainable Development brought a delegation from the Appalachian coal country to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development for a couple of years recently. They told us all about Mountain Top Removal and what a mess it has made of their region, communities, and homes. It ought to be immediately banned or at the very least much more aggressive and proper environmental restrictions must be placed on it. 
We also know about the problems coming from coal re Acid Rain. The truth is we should never let another coal plant be built. The money would be much better spent investing in making a rapid and full transition to renewables. I have been studying this and I am fully convinced that we could meet Al Gore's challenge of producing all of our electricity from renewables within ten years; and that we could produce all of our power needs from renewables within 15 or 20. We need to do this any way to prevent global warming and it should thus be one of the principle components of our National Strategy Plan. 
Regarding commissions, studies, and nothing getting done - this is not my idea of what we should or could allow to happen with the development of a national strategy plan. The idea of the plan would be in fact to implement it; and this has to be built into the process. The idea is to enroll millions of Americans in developing and in implementing the plan and then all of us together can work to ensure that whatever we want is implemented by society and government as a whole. 
I have also been working for the past several years on a proposal for a Campaign for a Sustainable America that would accompany the National Plan and thus ensure that it is implemented. I will post an overview of that proposal in a second message. 
Meanwhile thanks again Brad for sharing your thoughts. 
Rob

CREATING A CAMPAIGN FOR A SUSTAINABLE AMERICA   One of the fundamental prerequisites for the achievement of sustainable development  is broad public participation in decision-making. — Agenda 21     The United States urgently needs a clear plan and strategy in order to protect and restore the natural environment and to maintain our quality of life for generations yet to come. The Citizens Network for Sustainable Development thus welcomes all Americans to join us in designing and implementing a national strategy for sustainability. Many people, organizations, businesses, and government agencies are already contributing to the effort to create a sustainable future; however our country is still a long way from living sustainably or from adopting sustainable technologies and practices. A national campaign is thus needed to support, promote, and expand these efforts and to provide the leadership to make a fairly rapid transition to full sustainability.   In 1992 the United States agreed, along with the other 192 countries at the Rio Earth Summit Conference, to create a National Plan for Sustainability. President Clinton set up the President’s Council on Sustainable Development - which came up with many excellent recommendations for how we could create a more sustainable future but which were never implemented.   Then in 2002 the Bush Administration agreed, along with the other governments at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, to develop a National Strategy for Sustainability and to begin to implement it by 2005. However, we’re still waiting for our government to do this. But why should we wait any longer. We know that it needs to be done now. Thus the Citizens Network for Sustainable Development is creating a National Campaign for Leadership on Sustainability, while also encouraging the Obama Administration to take the lead on developing and implementing a US Strategy for Sustainability. See: .   Leadership for Sustainability can be more of a celebration and promotion of a wide range of citizen campaigns and initiatives taking place around the country rather than just a traditional issue-based campaign. Our approach thus includes four primary components:   Ø    Vision Ø    Commitment Ø    Capacity Development Ø    Citizen Action, Initiatives, and Campaigns     The Objectives of the US Campaign are thus to:   1.   Raise public awareness and understanding of sustainability.   2.   Promote examples of leadership for sustainability.   3.   Make sustainability a priority and principle of governance at the local, state, and national level.   4.   Promote national, state and local sustainable development strategies.   5.     Encourage alliances among citizen groups working for sustainability.   The campaign will be based upon crucial efforts already taking place around the country to raise our awareness about sustainability, to protect our environment, to overcome poverty and improve economic security for everyone, and to change our current patterns of production and consumption.     The Campaign for Leadership on Sustainability will thus include such activities as:   Defining the Vision, Goals, and Principles: We will invite everyone to join us in developing a compelling and exciting vision, identifying the benefits that can be achieved, and defining the principles upon which the Campaign will be based. We are planning to organize local, regional, and national Town Hall Meetings in order to develop a plan to make a rapid transition to full sustainability in all areas of life in the United States as quickly and as practically as possible.   The campaign will thus be based on such elements as: full cost accounting, full cycle cradle to cradle processes, zero depletion of natural resources, consumer and producer responsibility, incentives and rewards for adopting sustainable practices, conservation and appropriate technologies, a rapid phase out of toxic chemicals and substances, and restoring the natural environment. We plan to use the T-test: what do we need to do to ensure that we have as a good a quality of life in 2076, at the time of the American TriCentennial, as we do now.   Developing a National Strategy for Sustainability: During the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002, the governments agreed to develop and begin to implement National Strategies for Sustainability by 2005. As this is still not being done in the US, civil society should take the lead in calling for and developing such a National Strategy Plan and for ensuring that it is implemented by our local, state, and national governments. A number of States have already taken the lead in developing programs for Sustainable Development, which can be featured in both our leadership campaign and the National Strategy Plan.   The Decade on Education for Sustainable Development: The United Nations is sponsoring an international Decade on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through UNESCO – starting in 2005. In the US the activities are being coordinated by the US Partnership for ESD. One of the goals is to integrate the teaching of sustainable development within the curriculum in all of our schools. However, it will also encourage us to learn and share, or educate, about sustainable development in all areas of our lives. See: .   Community Tool Kits: There are plenty of programs and initiatives that local communities could use in developing and carrying out their sustainability plans, including ICLEI's US Cities for Climate Protection, World Environment Day 2005 Accords, EarthDay Network's Campaign for Communities, GAP's EcoTeam Programs, etc. The Community Tool Kit will include information about these and other valuable resources, along with suggestions for how a community can become more sustainable. We are also planning to offer Community Trainings and support for Program Development both in local communities and through sustainable development conferences.
Sustainable Development Clearinghouse:  The campaign website will include an area where new and exemplary books, resource materials, magazines, video distributors, educational materials and programs, how to books and programs, products and services, government programs, websites, organizations, and campaign activities, etc can be listed. It will also include a Calendar of Events and searchable database with listings by region, issue area, type of activity, date, organization, etc. The website will thus provide a one-stop resource where anyone can go to find the things they are looking for, as well as tips on sustainable production and consumption. We are also planning to distribute a Resource Directory of Goods and Services.   Educational and Advocacy Campaign: One of the primary activities of the National Campaign will be to educate the public about specific issues, to integrate this with existing advocacy campaigns, and build support for specific governmental programs and policies. We will identify those groups which are the most active and successful on each issue area at local, state, and national levels. We thus hope to be able to develop more cooperation among the groups that are already active within specific issue areas; and to make it easier for other individuals and groups to support their efforts in an effective manner.   Public Relations Campaign and Activities: The development of this component will be central to the success of the overall campaign. Only by reaching out to and fully involving the American people will we be able to achieve our goals. We will feature Best Practices and Success Stories which show what is possible and how it can be accomplished. Our goal will be to develop initiatives and programs that make successful use of the mass media in order to build mainstream interest, attention, support, and participation.
Speakers Bureau: The speakers bureau will provide a listing of people who are ready and willing to give presentations on their area of expertise, along with the region in which they are willing to speak and any fees which they may require. It will also provide a means for local organizers and audience participants to rate or provide comments about the presentations.   Other Programs and Resources: The Campaign will also feature a number of other ideas, projects, and resources. Thus we want to include a Sustainability Ideas Bank where people can contribute and list their ideas for good programs and activities and others can respond to and rank them. We will also highlight such things as:
A Design Competition for Creating a Sustainable America Green Expos and Festivals
Household, Business, and Kids EcoTeams Programs
Building Design Collaborative/Green Builders
Sustainable Quality Awards Programs for Businesses and Community Organizations Zoning Laws, Tax Policies, and other Governmental Programs and Incentives Fund Raising Activities for Local, BioRegional, State and National Levels   The Campaign for Leadership on Sustainability will be as good as the people and organizations that are participating make it.   For more information please contact Rob Wheeler at 717-264-5036 or robineagle@worldcitizen.org.    See: www.citnet.org/leadership.

Human right is for others and not for Africans,we are tired of war in D.R Congo all these are influences of super power countries.
We (People) living in africa are not consided like human why?
Congolese population has no more faith in UN and USA.
This is what they are saying "why?born a congolese"
Now Mr OBAMA,we need change in Africa if you need change in America.
The UN reform is urgently needed on security reform.

Rev, Jules Renzano
UMOJA AS ONE ORGANIZATION 

I like some of the other ideas I have read. For instance, "Make the grid green in 10 years" or "Develop & Implement a National Strategy for Sustainability," which is a goal to shoot for. However, a goal or mandate leaves us with the same question, How do we get there? It is my opinion that Ideas that are goals still need sub ideas to reach those goals. The meat and Potatoes ideas. There are several of both types of ideas being posted and the criteria for which the ideas are chosen should be categorized to reflect that. In other words, choose your "goal" ideas and then choose "functional" ideas to reach those goals.

Dear Larry, 
I would like to work with Change.org to see how we could develop a proposal and process to suggest that all of the ideas contributed to Change.org that have a relationship to sustainability, and that get a reasonable amount of support, could be considered in the development of the National Strategy Plan. 
The whole idea of the plan is to engage the American people in determining how we can best make a rapid transition to full sustainability and then to develop partnerships among different sectors within the economy and government in order to support the implementation of these efforts. So, the ideas that are what you call more functional could certainly be included as a part of the National Strategy Plan. We will of course however have to figure out how ideas and proposals can be included in the plan. 
Rob

Dear Rob,
I remember an idea that came up again and again in the past: simpol.org, that is Simultaneous Policies. While it was thought of helping to entice a responsible behaviour internationally, the basics could well be used for national cooperation - in the United States of America for instance. Your extensive knowledge, support and own initiatives of many different causes in the recent years, many of them in a worldwide context, place you in the right position to steer an emerging movement. The many people you enriched will hopefully support you now for the noble cause of an (inter)national strategy for sustainability.

dear Rob,
first of all i mention the Global Democracy & Global Justice symposia in Lucknow where we met dec06; at this moment it is on again and i am still in Holland/Europe. My heart is with the mission ongoing : "Awakening Planetary Consciousness".

i hope i give acte de presence in 2009 ; i am heading for that ...

to the mission of National Strategy for Sustainability i would agree on the fact that you have to start with a group = nation idea ... Then the alternative is to do it Global ... and no decision at all will rise ... (unless what happens?)

So i agree for addressing a group ~however i would change the title a little bit: Notional Strategy for Sustainability

That alignes to the SIMPOL.org strategy to agree on humanity standards at first - meaning to have no competition in fields of honour.

Namasté S'ace

Dear Rob & Freed,

it feels good to me to have you both here ... in many "strings" ...

so, Freed, i share with Rob the treaty thing we were sharing in december 2000 at Noordwijk aan Zee, The Netherlands. At that party the Ode magazine organized a nice mixture of about 40 entrepreneurs on planetary issues and more than 100 people throwing the call a party & dialogue. That was intended to setup another BrettonWoodsTreaty, now in the spirit of Schumachers Small is Beautiful, the mission articulated in the label "Towards an economy where everybody counts"

I reckon the 9th yearcycle synchronizing that call & gathering will do the job ... a job that pivotes a cycle of some culture with a span of about 1000 years to another arithmatic ~ ~ ~

Namasté S'ace

Rob, I like your way of thinking. I have seen available resources sitting idle that could be used to help boltster our sustainable energy.  Along I-15 in Montana there are miles and miles of idle railroad cars.  These cars could be modified with a little engineering to hold solar panels and relocated to the deserts of AZ, UT, TX, NM, NV or CA to provide valuable solar power to our country. It would take some effort and cooperation between the US and State Gov'ts, the railroad companies and enegy companies, but it could be done.  I only recommend these states because if the vast openness in the deserts and the hours of direct sunlight received in these areas. It would be an investment but imagine the amount of power that could be generated. It could create jobs, utilize resources that are otherwise just sitting idle, and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Alternative energy even with tax cuts and insensitive are priced out of reach for the average Joe. Those that rent are out of luck for any kind of structural changes. That price doesn’t have to stop us from using green energy, collectively we can build green power plants sound to big for 1 person or even 10 it is. But by asking the environmental groups to come together they can. They can do it by setting up donation fund for the actual building of green power plants. Asking for legislation to help with this is great but they are two slow, and we need energy independence now. Please sign this petition to bring them together to start bringing us green energyhttp://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/651803881

I am not comfortable with the choice of former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack as Agriculture Dept. Secretary.  It seems to me that sustainable food production is a big part of the sustainability issue.  In my opinion, an Ag Secretary from the top monoculture state does not represent the kind of change we need......

See potential model of National Cancer Institute Cancer Info Service: Partnership Program.  Community organizers that connect community partners, educate and build capacity for sustainable program development or improvement for cancer prevention awareness and education.  I posted on the site just not sure how to find! www.cancer.gov "CIS"

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CONCEPTS !!!
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY & the Environment and waste managment and permaculture and organic and clean water can all be integrated.

video video-->ALTERNATIVE ENERGY...a huge spectrum of currently used technologies are presented in this video series!
VIDEO  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmGp2O4G62k

The VIDEO is presented on this change.org website-->
http://globalwarming.change.org/videos/view/alternative_energy_environmental_science_money

lottery of homes churches and non profits sometimes buy a house and then raffle it away and not only do they sell it in a week but they make 
50,000.00 on it. The california lottery is tens of millions every so often. The government should give the california lottery 1 or 2 billion dollars or atleast right to raffle houses away and in turn the california lottery can get rid of thousands of houses make money fund schools create thousands of jobs stabalize home prices create tax revenue all at less than one percent of the financial bail out. One person should not win 25 houses but 25 people should win 1 house. 

No one wins anything out of an empty home, no taxes, no revenue, no jobs, and because of this it depresses the area and brings down their neighbors home value.



  - angel saavedra (practical is my middle name), lynwood, CA Dec 16 @ 10:32PM PST

Dear Rob,You are the right person to lead this 'National Strategy for Sustainability' effort. Via another e-mail list you just sent an article which beautifully clarifies a few points in a nutshell. Allow me to cite part of it here:
"A National Strategy could include programs and activities to ensure that:
-All consumer goods and products are manufactured so that they can be
recycled, composted, or reused.
-All new buildings are constructed, or older ones retrofitted, using LEED
Green Building Standards.
-Steps are taken to fully protect and restore biodiversity and the natural
environment.
-We reduce and move towards phasing out the use of toxic chemicals and
materials.
-We reduce our use of water and prevent soil loss, particularly in
agriculture and energy production.
-Education for Sustainability is integrated throughout the curriculum in
all of our schools.
-We prevent global warming by investing in energy efficiency and renewable
energy technologies.
-We develop and implement economic and tax policies to support all of the
above.
Etcetera"
Thank you! Your decades of diligent work in transnational organizations on the forefront of different causes is invaluable and adds to the worldwide scope that is so much needed now.

Thank you Freed. It is much appreciated. If you don't mind I would like to use your comments as a recommendation in my various activist and organizational activities. 
Rob

The idea to “Develop & Implement a National Strategy for Sustainability” is the best overall solution posted to “Ideas for Change in America” for energy and environment. However, there are many specific and great ideas that have been posted that need to be incorporated into the details of this vision. I hope someone is paying attention to the ideas with lesser votes.

Rob, i only voice what others probably also experienced. Please make use of my encouragement in all desired ways. I just have read the aricle about Brack Obama in the web issue of TIME magazine, and the spirit there is very well the same spirit like here. People who connect, network, build and share are most needed in the dawning new Millennium. Like Dan here above notes, to value and implement contributions from many sides are highly important. 

Dear Rob,

After working with you for many years at the international level for a New sustainabe World, I am supporting this initiative.
Being in Africa (Senegal), we are promoting at the local level, adpatations on climate change since many years (promoting organic agriculture, planting native trees and promoting sustainable management of natural resources, etc.). 
I agreed with you that in today’s globalized economy, the United States must rejoin the world in addressing sustainable development and provide leadership in dealing with shared international problems.

Peace, Solidarity and Social Justice wishes for a New Sustainable World during Obama's Presidency! 

Best Regards,
Ibrahima Seck
Coordinator of CIRPED
President of Senegalese Association for the Promotion of Organic Agriculture (ASPAB in French)
BP. 563 Thies, Senegal
Tel. 221 77 442 4029

I think that besides the wind and nuclear projects, people should be put to work on the Solar Fields projects, afterall they claim that 110-square miles of Solar will Power the whole USA.

That is ONLY 71,000 acres I think.  Easily done on government land somewhere remote.

Then maybe we can start having (CHEAP and affordable I HOPE) all electric Cars & Pickup trucks.

http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=MbC_uUACjZM&feature=related

If any one wants to see how the right wing libertarian neoconservatives bend, twist, and deliberately lie about programs and policies that are supported by more progressive, environmentally concerned citizens, you can watch the video that was posted above. I have to warn you however that you may get pretty angry about how everything has gotten distorted in their telling of what they think is true. It is like listening to Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, or some of the other talk radio hosts that just straight out lie on their programs.

This is a major problem that needs support.  Most environmental trends are problematic and unsustainable, and similar for economic trends.

Way to go, Rob.

There has been much talk about climate change, but not much about where we will see its first impact.

Flooding, Drought, water is the vector of climate change, we already have seen in recent times in many areas America/Worldwide areas where there is intense competition for water; Windesal® can sustain many areas America/Worldwide that will be impacted by this issue that may suffer physically or economically from this lack of fresh water shortage.

Begin the greening of America starting with a White House Victory Garden. During the gas shortage, food providers saw the need to get local growers as a source that doesn't waste fuel. Vote yes for a resurgence of Victory Garderns starting with the White House!

The Food Industry Challenges That Obama Needs to Address
President-elect Obama’s choice for Secretary of Agriculture could be perhaps the most important clue as to whether Obama really intends to bring change to Washington. It will determine whether or not he plans to take on one of the most powerful lobbies in the country, the businessmen who turned agriculture into agribusiness.

Current farm policy was called by Time magazine, "a welfare program for the megafarms that use the most fuel, water and pesticides; emit the most greenhouse gases; grow the most fattening crops; hire the most illegals; and depopulate rural America." An online movement has sprung up calling on President-elect Obama to name anti-agribusiness crusader Michael Pollan Secretary of Agriculture. Pollan's popular books include The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food.

In this fascinating interview, Bill Moyers asked Michael Pollan what would happen if he was named Secretary of Agriculture instead of yet one more advocate of industrial farming. Sources: Bill Moyer’s Journal (Part II) November 28, 2008Bill Moyer’s Journal (Part I) November 28, 2008PBS.org Interview TranscriptOrganic Consumers Association Petition to Stop Vilsack's Confirmation as Secretary of Agriculture

Fine Rob:

Please in the future, even before green building practices...
please add conservation.  Conservation is always first on any
list. It will always be more cost-effective to save a watt or a
therm than to produce one.

When you speak of green building practices, your speaking of
new construction, when I speak of conservation, I mean retro-
fitting and saving what is currently being wasted and lost.

Al Boek
American Energy Conservation Group
Still Producing NegaWatts, since 1981

Earl, 
Thanks for your note. I agree that energy conservation and efficiency are two of the first things we have to do. I would like to see the Obama Administration provide financing options and credit for anyone that wants to retrofit their house or business to be more energy efficient if it will pay off in 10 - 15 years or less. This could be done as a part of a National Strategy Plan or even without one. When I speak of Green Building Practices I am not speaking only of new construction but also of retrofitting. 
But I do not think that new construction is going to stop; and new buildings can be built so that they are much more energy efficient than my old house will probably ever be. What we have to do is figure out how all buildings can be made to be as fully energy efficient as possible and that is a discussion that ought to take place as a part of developing our national strategy. 
Rob Wheeler

Amid all the bad news and demands being placed on the President-elect Obama transition team this holiday season, Sustainable Land Development International (SLDI) offers a reason to hope for the future by formally submitting its offer of assistance to help boost the team's economic recovery plan and policy agenda – and save the country billions in the process.

SLDI is a cooperatively-owned organization of entrepreneurial developers, engineers, builders, planners, architects, financiers, attorneys, and others in private and public service, who deliver practical land development solutions to some of the most important social, environmental and economic issues the country faces. In answer to the President-elect’s call to “join in the work of remaking the nation.”, in a formal proposal to the Obama team, the organization has offered a public-private partnership, its Sustainable Land Development Best Practices System and the breadth of its research and collective knowledge to combat the country’s economic woes, enhance environmental stewardship and increase social responsibility - all at the same time.

Obama’s plan calls for a massive public investment in infrastructure as a way to create more than a million new jobs and reposition the country more competitively for the future. The plan has received broad acceptance, but is now beginning to come under increased scrutiny.

“President-elect Obama is beginning to receive criticism for his plan to invest up to $1 trillion dollars to stimulate the economy and implement the kind of change the American people mandated when they voted him into office in November,” said Greg Yoko, SLDI president of industry relations. “He’s being criticized from the left, who say the recovery plan isn’t socially or environmentally friendly enough, and from the right for the unprecedented level of government intervention and deficit spending his plan currently advocates. SLDI can offer the incoming U.S. administration the comprehensive systems and technologies to enable the public sector to enhance its effectiveness and quality – and spur the kinds of public-private partnerships and holistic development processes that will reduce government intervention, save taxpayers billions, and deliver greater environmental and social stewardship at the same time.”

According to SLDI, sustainable land development best practices optimize the decisions and implementation of the plans Obama has outlined at http://www.change.gov. The new SLDI best practices system offers the metrics to help development projects, such as those included in Obama’s massive infrastructure initiative, achieve greater ecological stewardship and social equity, but do so through the simultaneous achievement of greater economic results. These holistic “triple-bottom-line” results have long been sought but rarely achieved due to the narrow focus of each of the specialized participants in the land development process. However, through an industry-developed decision model and best practices system, SLDI believes it has, for the first time in history, developed the “holy grail” blueprint for the future U.S. economy, as well as the rest of the world. This holistic triple-bottom-line approach lays a solid foundation for the long-term sustainable development of the very infrastructure of our civilization. Sustainable development starts with our national and global infrastructure. If it is unsustainable, ultimately nothing else can be.

Terry Mock
Executive Director
Sustainable Land Development International (SLDI)
www.SLDI.org
www.SLDTonline.com
www.SURmag.com
http://www.sldi.org/newService/SLDIDec2008.html

Sustainable Change's time has come.  Now is a  first-time chance to capture the nation's attention on adressing our questionable future and what we owe our children and future Americans.  If ever, NOW is the time to suppport Sustainable Change and a National Strategy on Sustainability.  Ask for more details on the strategy and proposed governing paradigm.  Yes We Still Can. BR

This comment is an attempt to connect sustainable agriculture with this overall idea of Sustainable Land Development.  See Agriculture_Policy under Causes

Thanks for posting this, Rob.

A National Sustainability Strategy is indeed one of the keys to achieving many of the ideas circulating on this site, providing a vehicle to bridge important issues and priorities rather than forcing them to compete with each other.

Of course "sustainability" is not only about protecting the environment or addressing climate change, but about transforming the economy so that it improves our all our lives, not just some at the expense of everyone and everything else.

Thank you everyone who has supported this initiative and is planning to continue to support it in the months and years to come. This proposal is currently the top idea under the category of Environmental Conservation. During the next 2 weeks we will all have to do what we can to make sure that it is selected as one of the top 10 ideas that are then presented to the Obama Administration by Change.org. However, even if we don't make this target; almost a thousand people have voted for a National Strategy for Sustainability and Sustainable Change in America. We will use this indication of support as we make our case during the coming months for why the Obama Administration needs to develop and implement such a National Strategy. And we will continue to develop our own people's Campaign for a Sustainable America for this is what the world community truly wants and needs.
Thanks again, 
Rob Wheeler

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Art has a vital role to play in healing our nation and restoring hope. Thank you, Rob, for integrating arts into your proposal!  Artists around the world have been working effectively for years to lead the transformation to a sustainable civilization, addressing environmental health, social justice, education and culture through collaborative partnerships with scientists, engineers, architects, landscape architects, schools, environmental agencies, communities and residents. Many of these projects help raise awareness of environmental issues, engage the public in solving problems creatively and beautifully, and reconnect people to local history. The following proposals emerged from discussions with colleagues in the field of ecological art in the US and internationally. We urge President Elect Obama’s administration to incorporate this artistic energy as you look towards renewing a sense of civic pride, public service and ecological stewardship in our country.   1.  Federal agencies such as the EPA, Energy, HUD, Department of the Interior (especially the USFWS and Parks), NASA, NOAA, should work with the NEA/NEH to create artist fellowships, residencies and develop cultural programs at museums and parks that foster eco-art practices. 2.  Cultural diplomacy through the Department of State should  appoint ecoartist-ambassadors, cultural emissaries who work through U.S. embassies, to collaborate with their foreign colleagues to develop eco-art projects and bioremediation efforts with local partners across the globe and especially in developing countries. 3.  Explore program opportunities within the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation to bring  eco-artists into local schools, colleges and universities to inspire American students to become more excited about the study of science and learn about energy efficiency and green design. 4.  Incorporate eco-art into the work of the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps to advance a widespread 21st century WPA-style works program to address urgent infrastructure and restoration needs in informative and aesthetic ways. 5.  Expand the Obama stimulus plan for creating new green collar jobs to include ecological artists and encourage the formation of collaborative and multidisciplinary teams that can approach old problems in new and systemic ways.   You can learn more on sites such as: http://ecoartspace.org, http://greenmuseum.org and http://sfeap.org , and work with us to engage and value creativity and diversity, the way nature would.    (Thanks to text contributors: Mary Jo Aagerstoun, Sam Bower, Xavier Cortada, Chris Freemantle, David Haley, Eve Andree Laramee, Amy Lipton, Aviva Rahmani, Tricia Watts, Linda Weintraub, and many others from http://ecoartnetwork.org.)  

Dear Mary Jo and friends, 
Thank you so much for your contributions in regards to how Art and Artists can contribute to creating a Sustainable America and a National Strategy for Sustainability. This is the wonderful thing about creating such a Strategy; it can include and involve all sectors and all peoples in helping to design a better future for us all. AND it can serve as a vehicle to promote and support such wonderful recommendations as you are making to the Obama Administration. 
I worked for years as a Teacher Naturalist and Environmental Education Coordinator. I saw first hand and through personal experience how the arts can bring kids into relating and interacting with the natural environment and learning to care much more deeply about it. 
I am pleased and honored to have you as some of the first endorsers and supporters. 
I would also like to ask any and everyone else that has a business, organization, or what have you that is focusing on or supportive of sustainable development to sign on as a supporter or endorser of our proposal for a National Strategy for Sustainability. You can do so under the: "Endorsements for this Idea" Section at the Top Righthand Side of This Page. 
Thanks again, Mary Jo
-- through collaboration all will be accomplished and the world will be just as good as if not a better place for our children and grand children.

ROB: Beautifully crafted, right on target - thank you! I learned about your proposal too late to vote, but want you to know that our good conversations in the early, active days of the US Partnership for the DESD are still bearing fruit, and I'm trusting that our paths will cross somewhere in the sustainability dance soon.     What you propose is what MUST happen if all the creative energy that we all are focusing on building a sustainable world is to be harnessed effectively toward the goal we so passionately share. This business of addressing systemic challenges in piecemeal ways fritters so much of this energy away, making us all fall sort of what's possible. I'm with you all the way!

What happened to the Category: The Economy?  Something is wrong with Change.Org.
Many good ideas here but it's difficult to believe this category just disappeared - what's up? 
Biggest concern to our national financial survival (if that fails - all the other 'ideas' will also fail due to lack of funding) is Fiat money - and the corrupt FED.  Greenspan, BEfore he became head of the FED is quoted:  "In the absence of the gold standard, there is NO way to protect savings from confiscation through inflation.  There is no safe store of value...  "
I only add this comment here because there is NO other place in this site to place these opinions!