Final chapters

I must say that I was excited to read the chapter about Burlington, Vermont. I live in Alburgh, Vermont, less than an hour from Burlington, and I have heard about different things the city has been doing to reduce emissions. I had heard about a “no idling” ordinance in which cars would be ticketed if they were parked but running. I really enjoyed reading about simple things the city has been doing, on a local level, to combat global warming. I think it’s very important for people to see what a small city can do on their own to make an impact. Honestly, this was probably one of the most influential chapters of the book. If there isn’t anything else in the book that would move people into action, this chapter, I believe, would provide the motivation to do so.

The way Kolbert ended the final chapter left me a bit disappointed. Not because I felt there could have been a better ending, but it just left me a bit hopeless. She says, “It may seem impossible to imagine that a technologically advanced society could choose, in essence, to destroy itself, but that is what we are now in the process of doing.” I suppose she is right; we have been ignoring the signs and the mountains of data thrown in our faces, awaiting something “conclusive.” By the time we, as a society, ban together and finally make the decision to do something, it will be too late. It may already be too late. As I have expressed before, I am very passionate about global warming. I wish I knew what I could do to make a difference. Kolbert has written this book, a valiant effort to inform people of the threat of global warming. I hope this book can instill in people the passion burning inside of me. If I knew what I could do to let my voice be heard, to evoke change in policy, I would do it. This issue is honestly a key factor that motivates me to be a journalist. I know my words are not the most eloquent, captivating, or fluent, but I try because I know I want things to change. This is the only way I know how to do it.