I like the plan's positive thrust, and its detailed inclusion of
all the ways we are to reach carbon neutrality by 2045. I
especially like the new inclusion of "modeling and quantification
of GHG emissions and carbon sequestration in natural and working
lands," because trees do the job of ridding us of CO2 practically
free, with managed stewardship forests." However, I do
not believe this CARB 'plan' will get us there. Why?
Because it is full of feeble language, and I quote: "We must
transition...," "we absolutely must identify and
address...," "the plan delivers on the promise...,"
"the solution will have to include...," "we must also rapidly
deploy...," "urgent and complete efforts are
needed...," "this plan is fundamentally based on hope..." and
"the Scoping Plan is only that: a plan...," and "After
it is finalized comes the hard work--and hopeful work--of putting
its recommendations into action. And there is no time to
waste."
This Scoping Plan reveals over and over that it has no
teeth. It is a plea. It sounds apologetic rather than
authoritative. It sounds as if it is begging. If it, the
plan, were my suitor, I would say "you don't really believe in
yourself, so how can I?" I want you to sweep me off my
feet with drama, with determination, with HOW we are
going to do these things...call our bluff, refer to our past
resistance, win us with fervor, with warnings of new regulations
and sacrifices required, not weak words of 'we must, this is only a
plan, next comes the hard and hopeful work." The tone is
mealy-mouthed. Come on, CARB!!! Win my heart with
confidence, not tipping your hand at every turn that you are
worried I will say NO!!! Damn it, make me say YES!! Make me
shiver in my boots that if I don't say YES, my life is at
risk!!! You can't squeeze the carbon out of every sector of
the economy until you squeeze the resistance out of me to changing
my life so I will be ready to follow your lead for our dear Planet
Earth. And when I say "I", I include our city governments,
our planning commissions, our chambers of commerce, our businesses,
our schools, our hospitals, our multinational corporations, our
banks, our families, our entire human race.
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