We are only beginning to see the threads that connect all life on this planet. The front page story about the loss of scrub-shrub salt wetland beaver habitat on the Skagit River is another nail in the coffin for salmon. There is also an article on the rapid glacier melting in Alaska with resulting land rebound drying out vast areas of wetland in Southeast Alaska. I have seen it happening. This is prime nursery habitat for fish and birds and who knows when it will be replaced.

I have been a climber, skier and backpacker and have especially been fascinated by the glaciers in Washington and Alaska. In 30 years, I have witnessed the disappearance of glaciers and "permanent" snow fields. The coming lack of the summer melt from the glaciers impacts not only the fish, but also our irrigated food production, Seattle City Light electrical generation and even drinking water.

I am looking forward to installing solar electric generation on the roof of our house as another step in lessening the demand for fossil fuel. The next logical step will be an electric runabout for in town use, that can be recharged from the roof generation of electricity.

We can make a difference and it is worth the effort.

Installing solar electric by individuals will mean nothing...if China continues to build coal-fired powerplants. How is it possible that buying solar will count for anything, as long as China is powering up 1000-MW coal plants, one per week, every single week??

We Americans all have tremendous resources compared to the rest of the planet. Instead of "I feel good" purchases of electric solar panels, there has to be greater effort to stem the "over the horizon" pollution.

This is all tied to issues of sovereignty and rights of nations, but the idea that any one nation is sacrosanct and may do as they please =must= end.

25% of west coast air pollution originates in the Beijing area....TWENTY_FIVE PERCENT!!

I can understand your frustration and concern about burning coal. You are right on that. However, I believe that if the richer nations can incubate the solar panel industry, the technology will become inexpensive enough that the developing world will no longer have to go through the fossil fuel use stage to provide energy.

Look at how developing countries bypassed installing copper phone lines and leaped to cell phones to provide communication services. This saved millions of trees that would have been cut for poles and millions of pounds of copper that would have been required for wires. Access to fast, inexpensive communication has helped farmers and small businesses become more successful, raising the the standards of living.

If we can come up with inexpensive alternative energy sources, they will be used. No one wants their children to breath smog, but they do want their kids to have electricity for lights and laptops.

Right now, I have read that Germany is buying up most of the solar panels that are produced here in the US. At the same time, Walmarts are finding that they can use their large flat roofs to generate enough power to sell some back to the distribution net. The existence of the market for panels encourages more research and development and ultimately, lower production costs. They have already come a long way.

The only thing keeping China from leaping to solar is the cost. It is not just China that needs the power, but all the developing world. If we can manufacture and sell an inexpensive package that could be installed in any climate and provide energy for lights, refrigeration, water pumps, etc. what a difference that would make in the world. That is my vision.