Every election carries the same hope for change - hope often dashed when election results don't go our way (or even when they do).  Those working to advance legislation supporting clean technology, renewable energy, and energy efficiency can look at Tuesday's outcome as a loss. Or we can take this setback for what it is: a setup for a comeback.  Just about the only thing that can break through the political gridlock is the pioneering spirit of ecoprepenurs and the citizen consumers who support them.  Activists can focus on local initiatives where it often matters most.  And all of us can beat the recession, saving thousands of dollars per year through common-sense sustainable living.  Check out Green, American Style for 85 ways to get started.

Dear Mr. Gore:

Many of us who care about the planet watch the headlines now and ask ourselves: in the storm of Climategate, what does it mean to be green? Thanks to a bank of stolen emails and two British scientists muddying the grey areas in green issues, we no longer know if our cause is true.  We wonder now whether recent climate-change data reflect warming temperatures or heating egos.  We wonder: is there any reason for eco-advocates to stay the course on staying green?  By the way, where are you?   Your silence does nothing to cool our fears. 

This is not a good day to be a green living advocate, given the Climategate scandal that is erupting all over the Internet.  On the other hand, maybe it’s not the worst day, especially if you are a conservative green living advocate. I’ve been trying for years to get people in my sphere of influence to see past the climate change debate, though not because I think the argument is settled.  On the contrary, it is a complex science, so complex that the much-heralded consensus among the world’s leading scientists is still not as clear as we would like it to be.  This blow is especially unfortunate because it calls into question the credibility of the many truthful scientists that continue to stand by the validity of findings that prove a definite link between greenhouse gas emissions and human activities. Nevertheless, it is time to look at the many other compelling reasons to live green. Let’s consider nine of them:

1. Increase national security. We spend nearly $100 billion on foreign oil annually (depending on the price per barrel).  That money goes straight into the pockets of people who don’t like us.