Also from the print press today is William Yardley's "Juneau Journal" in the Times, which details the crisis actions the Alaskan capital has taken to lower its electrical consumption.

The crisis was brought on not by global climate change but by a different natural devastator: An avalanche felled some utility towers that carried hydroelectric power to the city. That power cost 11 cents per kilowatt hour, while the diesel-fired power that replaced it costs 53 cents.

So, in a matter of weeks, residents have cut electrical consumption by a third. First of all, can I just say, "Wow!" Look at what can be done, if we just muster the will. In this case, again, the motivation is money, just like it is for all those new T riders, just like it is for all those SUV owners dumping their cars because of how much gas they guzzle.

Residents accomplished the reduction with steps like closing the public sauna, and dimming lights at the community pool, and shutting down one of the two elevators at the library. Hardly life-altering changes.

All we have to do is be willing, and dramatic changes can come.