Top Ten Countdown:
Best Reasons for a Renewable Economy

Countdown Clock

#
 Reason Pluses Who Gains? Who Suffers?
10
 Environmental Justice The poor can breathe clean air and not be forced to live in toxic zones. This is a right and not a privilege. The poor of any country living near coal plants and other polluters The fossil fuel industry, its stock holders and politicians who thrive on our addiction to fossil fuels.
9
 Fossil fuels and nuclear materials are finite Don’t have to worry about running out, or paying higher costs to explore for hard to reach supplies Tourism industry, workers exposed to the dangers of fuel exploration Okay. You get the message.
8
 Corruption surrounds
fossil fuel production		 Dictators and politicians could no longer be corrupted by cooperating with fossil fuel industry All but those benefiting from sweetheart deals Okay. You get the message.
7
 Accidental Dangers Accidents in nuclear plants, oil drilling, coal mining, gas fracking and transporting would be eliminated Residents of areas where accidents are likely to happen Okay. You get the message.
6
 Homeland Security No longer having to defend the oil supply with blood and treasure that we can ill-afford Military personnel and their families, US taxpayers, war victims Okay. You get the message.
5
 Pollution (Air, drinking
water, wildlife resources,
food contamination)		 Renewables do not pollute. Not true for any fossil fuels. People who breathe (I believe that includes everyone), drink water, consume seafood Okay. You get the message.

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4
 Price As economies of scale kick in, and advances in technology increase, renewable energy will be a bargain compared with fossil fuels. Green buildings cost less than conventionally built ones over time. Consumers Okay. You get the message.
3
 Jobs Renewable energy production, and application can be done competitively in the United States. Installations can not be outsourced. Workers trying to find decent paying jobs Okay. You get the message.
2
 Health The cost of a contaminated environment is never included in the projected cost of coal, oil, and now gas. People who want themselves and their children to enjoy good health Okay. You get the message.
1
 Setting an Example
for the world and taking
a leadership position		 If we want China and India to adopt a Kyoto-style protocol, we must act first. Everyone except -> Okay. You get the message.

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