Energy independence is possible

To the Editor,

We can stop global warming if we have the will to do so, and it is up to all American citizens to help.

As we know, America is the land of the people, by the people and for the people. We own the public lands and decide how to use them. I propose that we the people make a decision to use public lands to create wind farms to produce electricity to heat our homes in winter and cool them in the summer, to run our machines in industrial plants throughout the nation, to power our trains - both freight and passenger. We need to encourage people to ride trains instead of airlines as there is no pollution greater than that produced by an airplane. We should discontinue paying subsidies to airlines and instead pay them to railroads in order to improve their railways and passenger trains.

If we achieve energy independence, we wouldn't need to buy anything more from China, as it has more pollution than any other nation. We wouldn't need any more foreign oil as the electricity could be used to produce hydrogen fuel to run our cars. If we do all these things, there would be enough money to pay for health care for all our citizens. If we really care enough, we would discontinue having stock car races which burn up more fuel than other cars thereby lowering the cost of our fuel today. We wouldn't need any more plants operated by gas or coal, both of which cause even more pollution and diseases. If you agree with what I have written, be sure to let your representatives know bout it. No one will get rich - instead you as a citizen will share the wealth in as much as you own the lands.

Reader's Digest carried an article in one of its recent editions where it said that General Motors could produce a car which runs on hydrogen fuel. Why has it not done so, and shouldn't we find out why?
R.E. Matthews
Bath