Robert Redford’s Take on the Use of Fossil Fuels

Re “The Highest Patriotism Lies in Weaning U.S. From Fossil Fuels,” Commentary, Dec. 2:

Robert Redford has it right. While California is making a determined effort to encourage energy conservation through legislation and public advertisements, with good initial success, the Bush administration gives only minimum lip service to this critical need.

As seen in California, the public is ready and willing to make sacrifices if called upon by its leaders. Is the White House so deeply obligated to big oil and other energy corporations that it is unable to call upon the public to conserve energy? I’m afraid the answer is yes. However, if we continue to put pressure on the administration, through letters and e-mails, perhaps we can change its approach -- for the long-term benefit of our country and all its citizens.

Howard Mandelstam

Encino

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Redford complains that the Bush administration “talks tough on military matters ... while remaining virtually silent about the long-term problem posed by U.S. dependence on fossil fuels.” I am amazed that he speaks only of national action and that all blame is placed there. He ignores the real users who waste so much: us, the individual consumers.

Redford never mentioned if he himself had purchased a Segway or other energy-efficient modes of transportation. He never mentioned anything about how we, the consumers, must demand and purchase energy-efficient vehicles. We must cut back our thermostats and wear sweaters at home, as people do in other countries. We must take the bus or the train.

I say it has to start at the citizen level. We have to demand the products that will save energy, and I don’t hear from Redford how he has done that himself. I can only imagine he has another movie coming out very soon.

Robbie R. Kidwell

Tyler, Texas

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Unless Redford wants to give up air travel and his fleet of sub-40-miles-per-gallon vehicles, he needs to shut up. The overwhelming cost of implementing solar power as our main energy source greatly outweighs all benefits.

Moreover, more jobs will be lost in the fossil-fuel industry than will be created in Redford’s fairy tale.

Thomas Sjolander

Baltimore

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Anyone literate enough to read Redford’s commentary knows there has been the technology to “wean” this country off fossil fuels for 40 years. Rather than blame President Bush and his cronies, or the Arab oil cartel, for our being held hostage to our energy needs, let’s focus on the real culprits.

The folks to watch, which no one seems to be doing very closely, are the executives of the multinational oil companies. They serve neither the interests of the U.S. nor of the people in the Middle East, only their own.

David Goldenberg

Laguna Niguel

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Calling all old-style and timid, moderate Democrats: A new idea like wrapping renewable energy sources into a national security issue is the type of “in your face” challenge to Bush that is sorely needed to jump-start the run toward 2004.

Ed Amador

Silverado