The international environmental community erases borders daily, assembling online to compare problems and share solutions. With a highly responsive global network and an ever-deepening knowledge base, we can empower the loneliest environmental activist, addressing all issues and defying all odds. The world's leaders in Kyoto, Japan, in late 1997 acknowledged the scientific fact that the leading cause of global warming is carbon emissions from fossil fuel consumption and that something must be done to address those rising emissions. Earth Day 2000 will likely find most Americans continuing to enjoy the fruits of a robust economy, no small feature of which is cheap fossil fuel. There is no better way for sovereign nations to inoculate themselves against the unpredictable political winds in the handful of countries where most of the world's oil and coal are located.
Every country has sun, wind, and biomass.
That Earth Day has survived as an annual, international event is a heartening testament to the strength of a good idea. It is also evidence that substantial numbers of us can transcend our troublesome tribal reflexes, and embrace the reality that we all live in a place known as Downstream. We citizens and good shepherds of the earth now have the ability to unite in greater numbers and potency than ever. Join us in making our collective voice come through loud and clear to policy makers public and private. A hearty welcome back to all you war dogs of Earth Day 1970 and 1990.