We Members Forward National Dialogue with Letters to the Editor

Just as talk of offshore drilling reached fever pitch in the media, we put out the call to We members to set the record straight. Within a mere three days, thousands of We members wrote letters to the editor, reaching almost 800 newspapers across the nation.

These letters called for 100% carbon-free electricity in 10 years, made the case for tax credits for clean energy, and demanded elected officials act now to address the climate crisis. We got a lot off our chests.

Check out some of these letters below. We hope they inspire you to write your own. Together, we will continue to shape the dialogue of the country – online and offline.

	"We need to realize that oil will never be cheap again and other solutions are needed. Last month, former Vice President Al Gore called for 100 percent of our energy to be generated by clean renewable sources within 10 years. All our country needs to do [this] is the political will." --Mike Specian, Baltimore, Maryland

	"If we were to end the ban on offshore drilling, it would be decades before we’d see an effect…We would, in fact, save more fuel each year by inflating our tires than if we drilled off our coasts. Who knew the tire gauge was mightier than the drilling rig?" --Michael Short, Las Vegas, Nevada

	"It’s time to contact our senators and representatives and insist they renew the clean energy tax credits that give incentives to solar and wind industries. … Think about your children and grandchildren. Wouldn’t it be great to give them cleaner air and water? Well, it’s not going to happen without public support." --Sue Smith, Peters Township, Pennsylvania

	"As gas prices continue to rise and Big Oil again reports billions of dollars in quarterly profits, it’s time to choose a president who offers a real energy strategy. … We can’t drill our way out of high gas prices." --Kathleen Trochlell, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

	"The longer we put off dealing with the serious impacts of inaction the worse it's going to be when we finally have to deal with these issues."  --Sarah Jacobson, Tuscon, Arizona

"I am tired of partisan politics and bickering about the small stuff. American needs a comprehensive energy plan that will deal with the long-term and important issues facing our economy, our health and the continuing existence of life as we know it. … America can generate 100 percent of our electricity from clean energy. … When Congress returns to Washington, I hope our lawmakers will vote for real change and the means to enforce change." --Robyn Gibboney, Memphis, Tennessee

"America can generate 100% of our electricity from clean energy sources and we can do it sooner than we realize – within 10 years, if our political leaders commit to making it happen. Why are our leaders talking about expanding drilling when we can expand safe and cheap renewable? … As the mother of a young child, I am very concerned about the quality of life he and all our children in our world will inherit. We must think of them and make the changes needed to secure their futures." --Patricia Wolf Kincade, Fresno, California

	"Congress’ inability to renew the clean energy tax credits means that government incentive programs to support the solar and wind industries will expire at the end of this year. And yet, America can generate 100 percent of its electricity from these clean sources, and we can do it within 10 years if our political leaders will commit to making it happen." --Steve Kaplan, Allentown, Pennsylvania

	"We have given the oil giants loads of chances to drill. They are sitting on 16 million acres of unexplored leases they could drill today. … It’s time to push for American jobs in wind and solar power and to keep the jobs we have from a strong tourist industry provided by our own glorious coast." --Karl Hodges, Castro Valley, California

	"I am a West Bridgewater resident concerned about the fossil-fuel-burning power plant proposed for nearby Brockton. … With all we know about global warming, how can we, in good conscience, allow [it] to be built?" --Donna Ames, West Bridgewater, Massachusetts

"I believe that we can make a difference in this climate and energy crisis if we start moving our economy and infrastructure toward renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal. With the help of the BP A+ for Energy grants for teachers, I will be applying my $10,000 grant toward the installation of a 1 kilowatt solar array on the roof of our school library." --Tom Traeger, Monrovia, California

"When President John F. Kennedy challenged America to be on the moon by the end of the 1960s, we stepped up and accomplished our goals, creating a watershed moment for millions of Americans. … Almost-president Al Gore has issued the same kind of challenge, to make the United States energy-independent by 2018. It’s just the kind of challenge that inspires 18-year-olds like myself." --William Vaughn, Bogart, Georgia

"I know our representatives and senators love their jobs and their country or they wouldn’t have subjected themselves <…> to Washington. … Maybe, just maybe, they will remember that in this election year, voters are watching them to pass meaningful legislation. Their inability to make the decisions voters sent them to Washington to make might haunt them in November." --Alesha Lafleur, Fort Worth, Texas

"We could be powering all of our electricity from clean, renewable sources in 10 years, and working in the same amount of time to get off of gas-guzzling cars and on to cleaner forms of transportation, including electric cars, public transit and bicycles. .. Let’s stop talking about black gold, the real treasure is our planet, one that we need to protect not just for polar bears and whales, but for our children and their children." --Katherine Isham, Essex Junction, Vermont

	"America has the potential to generate 100 percent of our electricity from clean energy sources. ... I hope that our future energy policies and actions give us – and our children – a reason for renewed faith and pride in this nation." Loretta Cummings, Bayville, New York

"[Congress] failed to renew clean energy tax credits, so government incentive programs to support the solar and wind industries will expire at the end of this year, resulting in job losses and lost opportunities to promote the generation of electricity from clean sources. We the people are ready to go greener, to quit depending on high-priced foreign oil, to ride cleaner mass transit, to go with affordable wind and solar power, and a healthier climate. --Rebecca Actista, Spring, CO

"When did preserving the status quo become our dominant voice? ... American can generate 100 percent of our own electricity from clean sources in 10 years if our political leaders commit to making this happen. ... The only voices that will make sure that these lifestyle and life-threatening issues are addressed are min, yours and an entire country not settling for the status quo..." --Dr. Maya Christobel, Shawnee, Oklahoma

"...We remain hostage to a crazy dependence and endanger our future if we don't make a major shift. Changing our habits can help but we need a Marshall plan-size investment in cleaner renewable energy at the same time ... and that requires will. ... As a mother, grandmother, and environmental educator I just can't understand why the need for a grand plan to get us where we need to be hasn't become the major focus of this politcal year. --Gloria Kuhn, Bayside, New York

"In the past decade, this nation has staggered off of the 'good-guy' list across the globe. ... But at this moment in history we have our first real opportunity to stand up and lead the world. We have the ability to create an economy with good jobs, clean, affordable energy and healthy climate by committing to generating 100 percent of our electricity from clean sources within the next 10 years. ... Imagine what the world will be saying in 10 years if we commit to making this happen. Imagine our world if we don't. --Mical Hutson, Steamboat Springs, Colorado