Spring Break
Friendly brainstorming at library energy talk
Gred Vandas
Issue date: 10/27/08 Section: News
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The discussion, entitled "The Energy Problem: Choices for an Uncertain Future," was organized by the library, the community action group Consensus and the National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI). The discussion was the first in a series of planned debates called Harry's Front Porch Forums.
Joel Jones, manager of the Plaza Library, opened the evening's discussion in front of an unexpectedly large turnout. He then introduced Jennifer Wilding, Lead Staff for Consensus, who spoke on the necessity of programs like these.
"Our culture is made of people who think differently, who have different experiences," she said. "That's why these friendly discussions are so important for finding a solution that works for everybody."
Wilding then divided the attendees into three smaller groups, each with their own trained discussion moderator. Seated in a circle, participants began the informal debate by answering a question: "What is the lowest price of gasoline you can remember?"
Specific answers varied, but everyone shared similar feelings of dissatisfaction with the recent spike in costs at the pump. Moderators then centered questions around three different approaches to the country's energy problems - reducing our dependence on foreign energy, ending our reliance on fossil fuels and curbing our energy demands through conservation.
Gregg Gehrig, a graduate student at UMKC and an intern with Kansas City's Port Authority, voiced his opinion on foreign and domestic energy policies.
"If we were more self-reliant, we would have a lot more latitude in being diplomatic [with oil]," Gehrig said.
Others argued extracting fuel from American reserves could only be done at the expense of the environment.
Jami Lobdell, a mother of six, described her concerns about keeping automobiles and gasoline affordable.
"I think it's more of a priority to us right now to find a reliable source of energy, regardless of its environmental impact, because I can't keep paying higher and higher gas prices," she said.
On the issue of alternatives to fossil fuels, the hot topics were nuclear, solar and wind power, but reactions to each of these proposed replacements were mixed. Some lobbied in support of a nationwide conversion to entirely non-carbon energy sources and others defended oil and coal, saying they are certainly dirtier, but also cheaper.
At the end of the discussion, the groups reconvened to share their areas of agreement and disagreement.
The groups agreed we all have a piece of the solution.
Consensus is a non-profit organization based in Kansas City that aims to put the "public" in "public policy" through objective research and civic engagement initiatives.
They will be teaming up with NIFI again at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the KC Public Library to discuss the next forum topic, "Making Ends Meet," a segment on how the community can help working people.
gvandas@unews.com
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