| There's been a lot of news and controversy about | | | | individuals will need to make sacrifices if the United |
| the Cap-and-Trade Bill which was passed in the | | | | States is going to be successful in reducing |
| House of Representatives in July 2009. To make | | | | greenhouse gases. So "spoiled" Americans will have to |
| Cap-and-Trade more palatable to the opposition, it | | | | give up some of their excesses and conveniences |
| was renamed the American Clean Energy and | | | | and figure out how to live green. |
| Security Act of 2009. Most agree that carbon | | | | Even China is getting on the bandwagon. Their prior |
| emissions should be controlled. But what is not | | | | stance was that air and water pollution came with |
| agreed is how to accomplish this. And businesses are | | | | economic progress. But interesting enough, it was the |
| concerned about the cost and the financial impact. | | | | rising healthcare system costs in their socialized |
| The unsuspecting public will be impacted as well, since | | | | system, that got the attention of the Chinese |
| most carbon emissions comes from our homes, our | | | | government. The organic, going green folk have long |
| cars and our day to day activities. | | | | been convinced that there is a connection between |
| So what is this carbon trading all about? | | | | environmental toxicity and disease. Other motivator |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the culprit. It is produced in | | | | for the Chinese was the fear of international scrutiny |
| humans by just breathing. It is also emitted by | | | | and disdain that would come during the 2008 Beijing |
| burning fossil fuel, driving cars or turning on a light. In | | | | Olympics and 2010 Shanghai World Expos - if they did |
| fact anytime you or your business or your home | | | | not clean up their act. |
| uses electricity, natural gas, coal (for heating and | | | | Yes, it all does come down to economics. But more |
| cooling), gasoline, or diesel fuels, you're increasing the | | | | and more, companies are embracing the concept that |
| amount of greenhouse gases in general and CO2 in | | | | Going Green can result in more green on the bottom |
| particular. The term carbon footprint refers to the | | | | line. Companies in the United States are promoting it |
| measurement of the impact of carbon emissions on | | | | in their advertising and marketing. And new energy |
| the environment. The idea of carbon offsets is an | | | | saving can be obtained from devices like the |
| attempt at striking a balance. We can draw an | | | | Metermaid (electricity savings) or lighting solutions or |
| analogy to the challenge of weight reduction. If you | | | | weatherization. These 'green' products are now |
| eat too much you would be required to offset it by | | | | offered for home and business. |
| a weight reducing activity such as exercise. The | | | | Some of the immediate positives of the Obama |
| trade part of Cap-and-trade means that businesses | | | | administration and the Cap-and-Trade Bill regulations |
| would be required to offset carbon emissions by | | | | are green jobs and green business opportunities. In |
| purchasing carbon offset credits from carbon | | | | this U.S. recession, any good news on the job front is |
| reducing programs or projects. The United States will | | | | encouraging. Going green may result in more green |
| go green, get green and be green, whether we want | | | | money for individuals and businesses which seize the |
| to or not. | | | | opportunity. |
| Since the solution will literally come close to home, | | | | |