City should invest in renewable energy

To the Editor,

As a proud citizen of Cleveland Heights, I love the culture of social and environmental consciousness which the city holds dear; however, I believe we can do better. We have made strides in recycling, support of local business, locally grown foods, and so on, but one aspect where we've neglected to pay much attention is renewable energy. Cleveland has been making progress in this important area and has gotten good publicity for it, but now I think it's time we join in to be a more eco-friendly, sustainable community.

Renewable energy seems like a daunting undertaking, but it really is not as intimidating as it seems. Wind and solar energy are practical sources we can use to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. While the initial cost of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, will be expensive, prices have dropped considerably over the past few years, and the cost would pay out in about a dozen years, after which the energy is basically free.

Recently, I read that Cleveland Heights is looking to become a fair trade city, which is such a fantastic endeavor! This kind of initiative and spirit should also be channeled into a push for more-renewable energy, especially because a big part of the fair trade movement is sustainability and care for the environment. We should strive for justice in all areas of life: economic, environmental, and so on.

In a time where the future preservation of our environment depends on the changes we make now, where renewable energy is more affordable than ever, and where sustainability efforts have gained great momentum, we must act. Cleveland Heights should invest more in solar panels and wind turbines and our denizens should support this cause. Let's join the movement toward a better, healthier world.

Dominic Gideon

Dominic Gideon
Cleveland Heights

Read More on Letters To The Editor
Volume 8, Issue 6, Posted 1:57 PM, 05.29.2015