(By e-mail) There is no public policy issue facing us that is more important than global climate change. Addressing, and ultimately reducing the impacts of global warming, will be an illustration of our determination to make the world a better place for our children – which has always been America’s promise – and a triumph of science over reactionary self-interest.

After decades of frivolous energy consumption, real change in our energy policy must come now. Significant change will rely on the government’s willingness to invest in renewable, clean energy, as well as the commitment of every person and family in the U.S. to cut back on energy use. I proposed a seven-point plan that involves everyone – from the federal government all the way down to municipalities and individuals – which is on my Web site at http://www.polisforcongress.com/globalwarming.

Points of that plan that will have an immediate impact are, first and foremost, a ban on new construction of coal plants and building our national commitment into renewable energy research. Federal dollars for renewable energy research should be doubled immediately and new outcome-based funding models should be used to more effectively allocate some of the increased funding. This should be seen as both a direct investment in solving the climate and energy crisis, and an investment in America’s future green economy.

I will also continue to oppose technologies that might solve a portion of the energy crisis – reliance on foreign oil – but would exacerbate global warming, such as coal gasification and increased natural gas drilling on Western lands.

One of the main issues that stand in the way of conserving energy is that most consumers are not taking energy consumption into account when making purchasing decisions. To encourage conservation, I support a comprehensive, revenue-neutral “feebate” approach to products such as vehicles, refrigerators, housing, appliances and HVAC systems that would charge fees on inefficient products and use the funds to provide rebates for consumers who buy efficient models.

Together, we can begin to make an immediate, positive impact on the energy future in America and climate change. We just need a Congressman who has the guts to stand up to the powerful energy lobby. I will be that Congressman.