For those of us who dream of a future where fossil fuels are something only our grandparents can remember, the administration’s recent climate rollbacks have been disappointing, to put it mildly. Overturning the EPA’s endangerment finding was only the latest blow to protecting the climate for our children. But regardless of what happens in Washington, we can make local choices that make a big difference.
For example, the city of SLO aims to be carbon-neutral by 2035. That’s daunting, but it’s achievable if we pull together. For example, we could follow the example of other cities and subsidize the purchase of solar panels, batteries, and EVs. Fortunately, Central Coast Community Energy already offers some incentives, and the SLO Climate Coalition offers free energy advising for people who want to electrify their homes. But more of us need to take advantage of these opportunities.
Our cities could also host regular events where residents can borrow an electric vehicle for 24 hours. I bought my first EV after a friend loaned me his for a day.
RFK Jr. recommends we eat more beef—advice that runs counter to both medical guidance and climate science. Instead, we could shrink our beef intake and learn to cook some of the delicious plant-based dishes that come from India, the Middle East, and Ethiopia.
We have more power than we think. Let’s use it.
Don Gaede
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in March 5-12, 2026.
The oilgarchs are only interested in quarterly profits. What happens to the world is of no concern; Armageddon in Iran will result in the Rapture. Of course, when Jesus returns, he won’t like what he sees.
Nazi’s wore government issued belt buckles imprinted with the words in German, “Gott mit uns.” (“God is with us”). It was worn by nazis while murdering 6 million Jews, killing millions of Russians, and raping their way across Europe. Apparently, God loves rapists and genocide. Who knew?
As Tokyo got firebombed in WWII and Nagasaki got nuked, no doubt it was done with the blessing of an American chaplain.
After murdering 150 Iranian school girls, the nerd that pressed the button or gave the order, just picked up where Adolph Eichmann left. Why are our military officers not resigning their commissions in protest? Is the job market in the private sector that bad? Yes. I guess it is easier to murder Iranian children than deal with Blue Cross.
American health insurance is such a scam, as a last act of defiance and rather than pay for some doctor’s new Porsche, maybe it’s better to just die. Our doctors are just as unscrupulous as our military chain of command. This is why many people join our military, to receive the things the private sector fails to deliver i.e. a living wage, free health care, free college money, and shelter. If the private sector ever did provide these things, no one would join the military. If the American empire plans on surviving, it needs desperate people to join it’s military and bomb brown and yellow people in the provinces. This is why we will never have a public option for healthcare, living wages, free college, or own our own homes. Instead, every dollar we have, goes straight to the Pentagon or to pay back our national creditors. We have become simply tax donkeys to perpetuate the ponzi scheme our economy has become. Not one dollar of our taxes are allowed to go to improving our lives. The average American is now living squalor or quickly on their way to it. Our currency has been debased and its purchasing power stolen.
I’ve learned to basically forget about my dreams, they will never happen. Instead, I’ve just accepted this new epoch. It relieves me of perpetual disappointment. I’m happy now letting all of it go.