The Tripod

First of all, I agree that President Bush needs to actually take action on global climate change...but the idea of building a sheild is ludacris. Truly, would we have actaully prevented a Soviet Missle attack if we build really thick walls around our boarders? No! That is similar to this plan. What we need to do is a double-edged attack on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). We should pursue more and more alternative energy sources including wind, solar, geothermal, wave, hydroelectric, etc. while simeoltaneously working hard on finding energy efficient appliances. Also, we should try and change society's mindset towards how we use and waste energy. Instead of every family of four owning two cars, they should own one and make use of public transporation. We should puruse more light rail systems that can be run entirely off of renewable resources or electric power. In addition, people need to stop purchasing large houses, cutting down trees, and wasting resources. Recycling needs to be stressed and walking and biking need to become more prevalent in society. As of now, we are wasting huge amounts of energy dragging tons of metal and plastic everywhere we go. In addition, we are a wasteful society--driven by the 'need' to shop and collect everything possible. I guarentee that a sheild would only cause people to think we have a permanent solution and stop considering a change in lifestyle. Let's face it, part of the global warming crisis is that we use too much energy from non-renewable, polluting sources. Eventually, the non-renewable sources will run out, and sheild or not we are going to have an energy crisis. We need to focus on fixing the energy problems and global climate change problems will be solve at the same time.

While the above commentator does justice to the cause of environmentalism by stressing the need to turn to renewable sources of energy, she goes too far by dismissing the possibility of utilizing a technical solution such as a space-based mirror to temporarily offset climate change untill the effects of a transition to alternative energy sources can be felt.

In addition, while the goal of using light rail and public trasportation options sounds nice, the implementation of this plan in many areas of the country could take as long or longer than constructing a mirror shield.

That is not to say that that plan is in itself very feasible but we must consider the possibility of utilizing current technology to assist in offsetting climate change untill the transition to alternative energy and a decrease in overall energy usage can make a true impact.

I'm hoping this article was satire, it not I am confused...! sounds like Mr. Burns trying to block the sun so that people would have to use energy 24 hours a day