image credit: the russians are here
used under a creative commons license
Anyone who knows Utah knows the power of wind, water and sun. You can see that power in Utah’s sculpted arches of stone, in our majestic mountains capped with snow, and in the cracked earth of our deserts.
Nature’s power is so obvious that you have to wonder why we’ve mostly ignored it as a source of energy to run our homes and businesses, and to propel our cars and trucks.
After all, if we did a little more to harness that power, we could begin to solve some of our most pressing environmental and economic challenges. In fact, creating electricity from the energy that nature gives us is critical if we’re going to reduce global-warming pollution, protect public health with clean air and water, create jobs in Utah and ultimately bring down energy prices. We know that burning fossil fuels is destabilizing the atmosphere and acidifying the oceans. We know that our dependence on oil shackles us to dangerous foreign regimes and to the escalating prices they’ll inevitably charge as demand outstrips supply. But we also know how to break our dependence and free ourselves from this destructive cycle.
Why keep buying foreign crude when we could be making energy right here in Utah from sunlight, wind and geothermal power? Why rip up more pristine wilderness to extract dirty fuels when we could generate clean power from the energy nature delivers to our doorstep?
Dollar for dollar, investing in clean energy creates more jobs than investing in traditional energy sources like oil and gas. That really matters, especially when you consider that more than 30,000 Utah workers lost their jobs last year.
We’ve got tens of thousands of windy acres here in Utah, sites for geothermal energy abound, and the southern part of the state has tremendous potential for solar power. We will have to carefully pick renewable energy sites that don’t endanger critical habitat and wilderness-quality land, but the opportunity is vast.
So how can we jump start a home-grown clean-energy economy?
Right now Congress is working on a landmark clean-energy jobs plan that would boost the amount of wind, solar and other clean energy our country produces. The American Clean Energy and Security Act will also make our vehicles, appliances and buildings more efficient, and update our antiquated electricity grid.
Our investments in clean energy and efficiency today will pay dividends for generations. They will create good, family-sustaining jobs that can’t be shipped overseas, and they will lower energy prices in the long run. They will reduce energy dependence and global-warming pollution, and make our economy more competitive. It’s true that the economic and environmental challenges we confront are serious. But Americans have never encountered a challenge of any kind that we couldn’t overcome by working together and applying our ingenuity.
That is what we need to do right now. The only missing ingredient is a spirit of innovation, cooperation and resolve amongst our political leaders. From the copper-domed Capitol in Salt Lake City to the halls of power in Washington, our leaders need to reconsider their allegiance to the dirty-fuels industry, stop their bickering, and act boldly to move America toward a new energy economy.
In the coming weeks, Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, can lead the way. As a key member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he’ll play a pivotal role before Memorial Day in determining whether Congress even gets to vote on the clean-energy jobs bill. Now is the time to let Matheson and all of our leaders know that we expect them to do what’s right for our people, our economy, our land and our future.
May 15th, 2009 - 7:08 pm
Thank you, for your thoughtful post on alternative energy and how it is a vital part of the equation for solving the many problems that face Americans.
I can testify first-hand how alternative energy creates as you said, “family-sustaining jobs”. You see, my husband works on the very wind turbines in the above photo, just one state over from Utah, in Idaho. We both grew up near Glenns Ferry, where the majority of jobs are in agriculture. His father was a farmer and mine a farm hand. Just over a year ago, after proving to be a hard and diligent worker, my husband was able to secure a job operating and maintaining wind turbines only 15 miles from where he grew up.
Now, we have good health insurance, so no longer do out-of-pocket costs serve as an obstacle to going to the doctor and, unlike many hard-working farm hands, my husband brings home a fair wage that allows me to stay at home and raise my baby girl.
The benefits, of realizing clean and alternative energies, not only extend to families who are directly employed to manufacture or maintain these technologies, but to every family who has a stake in clean air, clean water, and America’s future.
May 23rd, 2009 - 3:01 am
The Centennial celebration of the Robbers Roost will be the 6th and 7th of June in Green River Utah and Out at the Roost. The 6th at the senior center in green River and the 7th at Robbers Roost. Hope you can make it.
June 3rd, 2009 - 2:43 am
Perhaps its obvious to suggest that the “bold” moves that may be needed to “jump start” a “clean energy” economy must be tempered by restraint, especially with respect to environmental protection. Here in California, the “land rush” to obtain permits for development of solar and wind power projects on public tracts bears a taste of the earlier Gold Rush and all the environmental destruction that accompanied it. I’m afraid I can’t be confident our present leadership – pretty much at any level – has the good judgement to proceed prudently, or listen to wise counsel. After all, if it had not been for greed and gluttony, the geological miracle of hydrocarbons might have lasted humanity for many centuries more, and with tolerable environmental effect. It would be truly tragic to despoil our landscapes to create “clean” energy to support a lifestyle that is, itself, in desperate need of change.
June 22nd, 2009 - 4:07 am
I love the fact that Robert Redford is so involved in Utah and the future. I always enjoy listening to what he has to say at the opening night of Sundance Film Festival every year. It is always spot on and powerful.
My other favorite Sundance moments come from J.R. Holbrook and his show Sundance Film Festival After Dark http://www.festivalafterdark.blogspot.com ! He and his co-host Jennifer are a god send when the movies have such heavy topics.
PS. I also heard that JR Holbrook is a Fashion Designer and that Robert Redford wears his cologne **John Robert Holbrook – Pharoah**. Does anyone know where I can buy this fragrance for my boyfriend?
June 22nd, 2009 - 10:29 am
Dear Mr. Redford,
Please read a letter written by a young man I have had the privilege to work with in SC. In some of your interviews, you touched on the importance of young people getting involved. Well, here you go!
(This concerns the upcoming House vote re: Waxman-Markey bill, ACES-
American Clean Energy and Security Act)
Congressman Inglis-
My name is Jonathan Blanton. This year I graduated from Chesnee High School. Many decisions have been presented in front of me, many opportunities are on the horizon, and many decisions are waiting to be made. I sit and I think about my future a lot, but in the process I think about the future of this country, and more importantly, the future of our world. Congressman, sixty years from now nearly every member of the 111th Congress, including yourself, will no longer walk this wonderful world we’re living in, but, God-willing, my generation will. We will reap what you sow. You and every other member of Congress will leave behind a legacy that will define not only you, but will define who we were as a nation during this point in history. You have inherited our earth, just as every other member of the human race has, and just as every member of the human race will. What you do with it will determine what we do for it. The American Clean Energy and Security Act is an opportunity for you and every other congressman to rise above petty-politics and join together as, not members of the Republican party, not members of the Democratic party, but members of the human race. Congressman, I know that money is the force that drives the world, but the love of money is also the root of all evil. I know that our state and nation are in dire fiscal circumstances and that everyone is looking to make a profit, but we can not put a price tag on our air, glaciers, oceans, atmosphere, sun, skies, or solar system. Congressman, I implore you to join hands in unity with your colleagues to send a message to the world that we are rising above ourselves and our self interest to help mankind and help preserve our planet. Generations to come will judge you by how you treat The American Clean Energy and Security Act. Do you want my generation and the generations to come, to look back with dismay and say, “If only they’d passed that bill…” or to look back with a grateful heart and say “Thank God, that Congress recognized the consequences of procrastination, swallowed their political pride, and stood together as one generation of people, to save our generation.” I know that this will not be easy, progress never is, but I have faith in my country, my leaders, and in you Congressman. I know that you all have it in you to rise above the political game in Washington and to go home, look your children in the eye and honestly say, “Don’t worry, everything is going to be alright for you.” You have the power to change and save the world, and I beg you to think about the consequences of not acting now. This is your moment Congressman, please make sure that my generation has a clean and stable earth to inherit. Nothing less than the world is at stake.
Thank You -
Jonathan Blanton
June 29th, 2009 - 11:16 am
John Robert Holbrook – Pharaoh cologne is amazing!! I received this fragrance in my gift bag at the Oscars a couple of years ago and I had trouble finding it when I ran out. I guess the designer only makes 1000 bottles a year so it is pretty exclusive.
** JRH-Pharaoh is available at Sephora and Fred Segal seasonally but I had to reserve at bottle from a boutique in Salt Lake City ‘D Grant Ltd” in the Gateway Mall. I also found it in Park City while I was attending Sundance Film Festival at the “Lanny Barnard Boutique” on Main street. I bought their last bottle.
Good Luck,
Mathew
PS. Robert Redford is a visionary! Thanks for all or your hard work
July 10th, 2009 - 8:41 pm
For all he does, and has done for the environment, Robert Redford is my Nature nerd of the day:
http://thenaturelady.blogspot.com/2009/07/todays-celebrity-nature-nerd-robert.html
August 21st, 2009 - 2:25 pm
The *HOT* John Robert Holbrook poster of his male model laying face down on a couch (naked) wearing only the Holbrook socks is a masterpiece!! I received this poster at Sundance Film Festival 2009 and I need more for gifts. Does anyone know where I can buy this poster?
*This poster is my new energy policy…amazing!
October 9th, 2009 - 1:58 pm
Fashion Designer, Actor John Robert Holbrook hosts the hottest Halloween Party
( Hal-HO-Ween Ball 2009 ) in Salt Lake City on Oct 30th at Pierpont Place!! Look for the party photos online…..they will BLOW YOUR MIND!!
December 10th, 2009 - 6:40 pm
I strongly urge everyone to take notice of The John Searl Story. Did this man solve the energy problem 50 years ago? http://www.johnsearlstory.com
The astonishing claims are again being hotly debated. Experiments in Russia to duplicate Searl’s device were partially successful. Highly respected physicists from Finland have conducted detailed investigation and analysis of Searl’s device.
I say give Searl a chance. Let him prove it again!
December 10th, 2009 - 7:21 pm
Thank you Mr. Redford for your efforts to give a man like John Searl above, a chance to freely put new energy ideas out there with the support of the Bill that you mentioned.
Great idea Bradley!! I have seen this film and it rocked my world.
Talk about BLOWING YOUR MIND!
I think that John Searl’s work may definitely be THE ANSWER to our Global Energy Crisis and can give the young people and ourselves HOPE for a better FUTURE (with young brilliant future leaders like Jonathan up there) with his “Clean / Healthy” Alternative Energy device that folks in UTAH and ALL OVER our Planet can benefit from NOW with a new Energy Source that we all so desperately need and deserve!!
This device (SEG) has already been developed and researched over decades of hard work, but (as usual) shunned from the masses and squashed by industry (back then) because it would change the ‘old world-oil driven’ paradigm. This genius was ‘before his time’ but his time is NOW. He is ready and so are we!
He tapped into the ENERGY FROM NATURE ALL AROUND US!! And now has created THE PERFECT MACHINE!
He just needs the PEOPLE to give him a chance to help our World and our Future in it…before it’s too late!! Bottom line..WHAT IF???!!
Please check it out – it will be well worth your time. http://www.johnsearlstory.com/
December 10th, 2009 - 8:02 pm
We need to find solutions for new types of energy. There have been MANY people who have developed viable solutions, only to be shut down by governments and corporations.
When John Searle mentions he did not take out a patent on his device, it was a brilliant move. Those I know of who did take out a patent, had visits from officials who confiscated their inventions for reasons of “national security.”
This man might have the answer! http://www.johnsearlstory.com/
December 11th, 2009 - 1:13 pm
Count me a believer in the John Searl story. Everyone should take a look at this.
December 19th, 2009 - 1:19 am
When I first heard about John Searl, who claims to have created the most mind boggling machine, the Searl Effect Generator that can generate free energy, I just had to find out more about this man. After I saw The John Searl Story documentary, I have to say, I was in such awe and thought WOW, what an incredible, astonishing, extraordinary invention….it really blew me away!! It was so fascinating to watch and listen to Mr. Searl explain how this machine works and what it can do…I was completely hooked!!
A BIG THANK YOU for making this AMAZING film so that Mr. Searl can finally be heard and recognized for what could very well be POSSIBLE and what SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE!!
See the film!! http://www.johnsearlstory.com