“Code Green is America’s New Red, White and Blue”

A couple of days ago, I was waiting in the Governor’s Office with three books by the same author, wrapped up in trademark red ribbon of the season. I was there to give these gifts to Governor Crist and his staff as a token of appreciation for their diligence and good faith in working with me on what I dubbed the “Holiday Gift Project”, what eventually turned out to be two paid days off for state employees. Kelly Layman, Chief of Staff of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection walked in to the waiting area. We talked briefly about the day’s events and  the subject turned to the books I was carrying.  Kelly said “It’s a great book. I’m about half way through it. I’m so surprised more people aren’t talking about it and that there haven’t been more reviews and editorials about it.” We continued to talk about Thomas Friedman’s latest brilliant,  yet common sense book, Hot, Flat and Crowded. As we talked, the idea of sharing my view of this book, recommending it for a holiday gift or a new year’s resolution read, wouldn’t leave me.

On September 12, 2001 I woke up with the strong conviction that our path to national security lay in becoming energy independent. Thomas Friedman has reached the same conclusion with an airtight case. He has had the opportunity to speak to the top echelons of government and industry the world over and has deeply researched this idea: America must fully create and implement Code Green.  “Code Green” is a plan for scientific and economic innovation that propels the nation forward to develop clean power, super energy efficient technologies, and methods of conservation.  Why must we do it? America must find a way to 1) Empower its economy; 2) Disempower the world’s petro-dictators; and 3) Save and protect our environment. 

National security is not only the federal government’s problem. Much like in WWII, not only our troops but all of us are vulnerable to those who seek to destroy us. All of us, then, have a part to play to make our nation safe. None of the nations that supply us with oil, save Canada, are our friends; many are our enemies. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela,  and Russia should not be trusted to provide us with our nation’s lifeblood. The oil we get from  them, however, fuels our daily travel to and from work, visits to friends and family, shopping trips, and recreation. We have for too long enriched, empowered, and emboldened these nations, to our great detriment, with the transfer of our wealth for their oil.

Working toward energy independence with stewardship of the environment offers tremendous economic opportunities. Friedman quotes Lois Quam, managing director of alternative investments at Piper Jaffray, as saying, “The economy is poised to be the mother of all markets…to find any equivalent economic transformation, you would have to go back to the Industrial Revolution.”

Most importantly, we must protect the air, water, and earth we need for our every breath and heart beat. Controversy over climate change aside: our planet can no longer sustain the enormity of the pollution, waste, and biodiversity loss as China, India, and peoples across the globe work to feed a voracious appetite for middle America’s standard of living.

It has always been America’s destiny to blaze a path that strengthens our nation while fulfilling our mission to encourage freedom for all humanity.  We have a moral responsibility to ourselves, our children, and  grandchildren to ensure their safety, security, and health. Working for global economic and political freedom will make our people more secure. America can still inspire the imagination of the world. The world needs our ingenuity, our innovation, and our boldness now to help take us into this new era. As Thomas Friedman says, “The goal of this Code Green strategy is not just to make America richer, tropical forests safer, petrodictators poorer, or hurricanes weaker. The goal is also to use America’s power to bring the world’s most disadvantaged populations the energy to improve their lives and realize more of their aspirations as well.”

What does this have to do with Florida? Florida has a very fragile environment. We depend on the quality of our natural resources, and our climate for much of our economy. Florida also has a huge stake in solving our present economic crisis. Florida fell into recessionary times sooner and is likely to crawl out of it later than the rest of the country. We must do things differently. Our region, with its dynamic mix of a progressive government, excellent universities and community colleges, highly educated and motivated citizenry, long standing, and effective environmental organizations, innovative chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, stands poised to lead Florida boldly into this new Energy Era.  Florida must be ahead of the pack to survive the current economic crisis, reach our full potential and thrive. Our community can lead the way.