Question Earthority!

2006 will probably be remembered by environmentalists as the year that global warming went “mainstream.” After decades of suspicious skepticism, even most of the most suspicious skeptics — libertarians — seem to finally be accepting the scientific consensus: That the earth is warming, that it’s not all a matter of “cycle,” and that human activity is a factor.

There were other landmarks, too:

- State governments began to de-federalize environmental issues with legislation, multi-state pacts, and lawsuits.

- Auto manufacturers made great leaps forward in hybrid and alternative fuel technology.

- America’s “addiction to oil” finally became a major issue among politicians … and, possibly, voters.

What does the new year promise?

Hopefully, not just more of the same. The market has made significant inroads to what has been, but should not be any more so than necessary, a “problem for government.” It’s time to get past significant inroads and on to great leaps.

The longer we let government “handle” the problems of pollution and environment, the more entrenched it will become in doing so … and it does so badly.

Here’s to hoping that we can look back on 2007 as “the year of the REAL free-market environmentalists!”