Global warming is hitting us already. It is no coincidence that some of the biggest storms and an unexpected number of storms are hitting us now. Nor are food shortages coincidence...nor are they caused primarily by biofuels. Extreme weather, an expected part of global warming, is hitting us hard, damaging crops around the world. Crops are established based on a particular climate. That climate has changed and it will take time for agriculture to adapt and infrastructure to be put into place. Time and money.

Global warming isn't our future. It is our now.

Earlier this week, Senate Republicans put forth legislation (S.7594-B) which would create a gas tax "holiday" from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I and many of my Democratic colleagues voted against this legislation because it is bad fiscal and environmental policy that will only result in windfall profits for oil companies and no real relief for consumers. My colleagues and I understand New Yorkers have been hit hard by rising fuel costs. However, what we need are not gimmicks, but carefully thought out policies that will create long-term solutions to the growing energy crisis facing our state and decrease our dependence on foreign oil.

S.7594-B, introduced by Senator Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island), would exempt gasoline and diesel from the State's excise tax, Sales Tax, and Petroleum Business Tax, from May 23, 2008 to September 2, 2008. These taxes are currently used to provide funds for highways, roads, bridges, and mass transit. By suspending the taxes the Senate Republicans will create an estimated $600 million budget gap for these necessary services.

Living as I do in last summer's "blackout zone," I'm probably more anti-Con Ed than most, but...

Following the blackout, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has ordered a "prudence hearing" to determine if Con Ed should have taken steps (such as building a better infrastructure) to prevent the blackout from happening. Despite having one of the most outmoded grids in the country, and charging the highest rates in the continental U.S., Con Ed claims they did nothing wrong.

Meanwhile, they want to raise your rates by 17%.

Fortunately, groups such as the ad hoc organization "Western Queens Power for the People" ("PFP", online at www.powerforthepeople.info) aren't letting Con Ed get away with it. And you can help. Click "Read More" to see how...

(Note: This column is reprinted from a Nov. 16, 2005 column on my website.)

Years ago, my sister graduated from college with a major in environmental studies. She wanted to save the planet, and couldn’t understand why telling people about the problem wouldn’t get the job done. After two years in Morocco with the Peace Corps, she returned with a new focus on finding ways to show how people can make more money through environmentally friendly technologies. I’m betting she can save the planet now.

Recently, the price of oil and natural gas has skyrocketed even faster than the cost of health care. Things were bad enough In the summer and fall, when the major oil purchases were for gasoline. But as winter approaches and we’ll have to pay more to heat our homes, these higher prices will really hit us where we live.

And that’s a good thing.