The Big Ideas Project

Include Aviation pollution in any discussion of Climate change. Question/investigate how an average of 30,000 airliners per day spewing tens of thousands of gallons of fuel at altitudes that take years to cleanse each flights layer of pollution, are not creating a greenhouse effect.

Submitted by Bud Ingersoll in Environment Jan. 4, 2015, 5:07 p.m.

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#739

234 votes

Here is a simple idea with a profound impact on our climate. We need to have coal ash listed as a dangerous toxic substance on the federal list of hazardous materials. We need to replace all of our coal fired power plants with combined cycle natural gas plants for base load power supplemented by solar, wind, and biomass systems. Coal ash is a dangerous substance that can cause cancer or other diseases when it leaches into ground water as seen in North Carolina and in Tennessee.

Submitted by Rex_in_Minnesota in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 4:29 p.m.

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#760

225 votes

reduce the years for carbon emission standards to take hold

Submitted by James Earl in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 1:27 p.m.

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#764

224 votes

Revenue Neutral Carbon Fee and Dividend. This legislation places a fee on all carbon products at mine, well or port, pushing all of us to choose renewables. All money collected is rebated equally to all citizens to help cover the costs. Economic studies project that the bottom 2/3 of earners receive back more than they pay in the fee. The top third uses their capital to drive market changes. It will force a 30% drop in carbon emissions in 10 years and 52% in 20 years.

Submitted by Claire C. from NY in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 5:05 p.m. 1

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#769

223 votes

2% tax on coal power plant electricity sales. +2% each year until the plant is shut down.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Environment Dec. 29, 2014, 2:45 p.m.

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#774

221 votes

Ask Congress to support policies to reduce our population and oppose policies to increase our population. USA is the third most populous country in the world. The two most populous countries (China and India) are overpopulated. The USA also overpopulated? It's phony to say 'I'm for the environment but not for limiting immigration…'" -Sen Gaylord Nelson, Founder of Earth Day Jacques Cousteau, ''Population growth is the primary source of environmental damage."

Submitted by Green in Environment Jan. 7, 2015, 9:07 p.m.

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#774

221 votes

Air pollution is a contributor to respiratory issues among the most susceptible populations - the elderly, the young, the chronically ill - and emissions from coal and power plants are the top contributors. These corporations should be charged environmental taxes to help curb additional pollutants in our atmosphere. It's time to rethink our energy supply, and we have a limited opportunity before the window closes.

Submitted by StacyG in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 4:35 p.m.

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#786

218 votes

Government contractors must convert their buildings to solar power. The building must be 50% converted by the end of the contract. By 2025 all contractors must be 100% solar powered.

Submitted by Trev in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 10:44 a.m.

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#791

217 votes

Make solid action toward clean energy and stopping climate change THE national and world wide priority.

Submitted by Anne McManus in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 7:39 p.m.

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#822

205 votes

Ban all new deep-water drilling immediately. Ban all new well drilling within 3 years. Shut down all wells within 10 years.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Environment Dec. 16, 2014, 2:54 p.m.

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#830

203 votes

Carbon tax or trading to cut carbon that is causing climate change.

Submitted by Jim Fary in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 9:23 p.m.

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#834

202 votes

Tax fossil fuels. Give back some tax money to all citizens, but more to those most affected, like coal miners, use the rest to fund infrastructure repair and environmental stewardship.

Submitted by no in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 5:34 p.m.

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#837

201 votes

germany's use of solar power is now 50%. the largest use of power in our homes is our hot water heater. set a standard that all new construction be built with solar hot water heaters and offer existing homeowners a subsidy or tax credit for installing a solar hot water heater. this will help our environment and our economy.

Submitted by roxey l. from MI in Environment Dec. 11, 2014, 3:20 p.m.

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#844

198 votes

More green development. Stand up to the climate change deniers. Isn't it obvious by now? We CANNOT lose out polar ice caps or we are doomed. Promote green jobs and tax breaks for those who choose green options.

Submitted by MGG in Environment Dec. 18, 2014, 9:23 p.m.

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#852

197 votes

Stricter legislation and penalties for animal abuse and cruelty.

Submitted by Karen L. Lew in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 8:30 p.m.

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#864

193 votes

Strengthen animal protection laws to include mandatory 5 yr. prison sentence for those convicted of animal cruelty.

Submitted by Michael P. from OH in Environment Nov. 21, 2014, 9:21 p.m.

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#866

192 votes

Prohibit building or exporting new nuclear reactors or weapons in or for any country that does not have a permanent 200,000 year repository for nuclear wastes under construction.

Submitted by Dwight R. from WA in Environment Jan. 10, 2015, 4:12 p.m.

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#884

187 votes

Reforms for sustainable agricultural practices, and subsidies redirected toward healthy, premium food.

Submitted by Neocat in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 4:01 p.m.

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#890

185 votes

A carbon tax to be paid by all direct users of all fossil fuels. The proceeds from the tax to be used by individuals and corporations for reducing their carbon footprints. David Straus, emeritus Professor, SUNY-New Paltz

Submitted by D Straus in Environment Dec. 11, 2014, 4:02 a.m.

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#901

182 votes

Small organic, sustainable farming practices and the humane treatment of animals in agriculture.

Submitted by Celeste A. from CA in Environment Dec. 12, 2014, 3:04 a.m.

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#909

180 votes

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