The British are coming! The British are coming!
We Texans have more in common with the British than just funny accents – We are both destined for external carbon regulations. But, here is the difference – The British recognize the necessity of accepting carbon dioxide reductions because they know that the opportunity – to restructure economics and politics towards sustainability – will, presently, cost exponentially less than the inexorable and increasing consequences we face in the future, if we do nothing today.
Prince Charles and the Consul General of Britain addressed an audience of 200 in the Capitol yesterday (1/29/09), at a conference on economic opportunities and risks in a carbon-constrained world. The conference was hosted by United Kingdom’s Houston consulate and the Environmental Defense Fund. 
The conference aired a video of Prince Charles who addressed the State, saying “At the risk of being a damned nuisance, I want to encourage you to assume a leadership role in creating a pro-business Texas model that lays the foundation for the state to … successfully compete in the coming low-carbon world economy,”
As of now, there are no federal or state caps on CO2 emissions. However, With Obama’s induction of science back into the White House, including Dr. Stephen Chu of Berkley National Laboratory, who recently led solar energy research there, many in politics and the environmental movement expect word of carbon regulation from the Obama administration in the near future.
But here in Texas? Unfortunately, our elected “leaders” just don’t see the light. Governor Rick Perry said on Tuesday that Texas’ petrochemical and petroleum refining industry “makes us a big target on the radar of an increasingly activist EPA” which could “severely harm our energy sector.”
No, Governor, it is politicized dereliction from the future of our economy and your vantage on dirty energy sources which makes us a target for the new EPA.
One thing that Governor Perry may not be aware of the growing movement of youth across Texas, who demand a shift towards proactive climate change policy, for our economy and for our future.
ReEnergize Texas adamantly supports these youth, and will be conducting the largest youth climate conference ever held in Texas, from March 28th-30th, to train and involve students across the state in advancing the movement towards a climate-conscious government and economy. On the March 30th, hundreds of youth across Texas will bring their demands to the Capitol for a major Youth Climate Lobby Day in Texas.
We are, after all, the state producing the most emissions, of the nation producing the most emissions, in the world. That makes us Ground Zero for Climate Change.
Paul Lynch, the Consul General, sensibly provided perspective to the Capitol audience, in stating “What makes this different from other environmental issues is that it’s not local: You can’t divorce what happens in the U.S. from what happens in the U.K.,” Lynch said.
Patrick Meaney
