2 tragedies, 1 glimmer of hope

In the Australian state of Victoria, at least 135 people have died and 750 homes have been destroyed in fires.  It may not be the case that global warming is to blame for the fires (official suspect arson), but a hot and dry climate is certainly not helping.

Near Chicago, 65,000 gallons of oil sludge spilled from a holding tank at a Caterpillar facility and contaminated a 3-mile stretch of the Des Plaines River.  The combination of under-served infrastructure and overzealous manufacturing is certainly a factor.

But here’s the good news: as a result of high gas prices last summer and the nationwide recession, which spurred people to drive less and drive more slowly, traffic deaths were down 10% last year.

The price of gas was the result of myriad market forces, but it led to rational behavior that was good for people and the planet.

And that gives me hope.  (So let’s tax the hell out of carbon!)