Why do we need clean, renewable energy now? First, the U.S. spends $49.1 billion a year, not counting the Iraq war, patrolling the Persian Gulf to protect oil transportation routes.

We all pay for this in taxes. A 1 per cent annual increase in renewable electricity sources and incentives for vehicle fuel efficiency would provide 29,000 new jobs in Arizona alone by 2025. It would also save Arizona consumers $3.3 billion or $1,195 per household by reallocating public funds to invest in efficiency technologies in all sectors.

Arizona has the technical potential to generate more than 200 per cent of its current electricity needs from renewable energy. However, none of the electricity generated in 2000 in Arizona was from renewable sources.

Power plant pollution shortens the lives of 75 people in Arizona each year. More than 200,000 children live within 30 miles of a power plant in Arizona. Asthma, which can be caused and is aggravated by poor air quality, is the leading chronic illness among children.

Ninety per cent of Americans support a “crash program” to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. A record 20.9 million youth voters turned out this year, and Arizona students want state leaders to make sustainable energy policy a priority.

For our economy, for jobs, for our national security and for our health, let’s support clean energy initiatives now.

John Neville, Sedona