Open Letter to Senators Schumer and Clinton, State Senator Michael Nozollio, and Congressman Jim Walsh: With the election of a new president, our hopes are rekindled for a brighter tomorrow. But this will happen only with the adoption of an agenda that simultaneously deals with the issues of global warming, the faltering economy and our involvement in Middle East conflicts.

All of the aforementioned problems, in one way or another, stem from our reliance on fossil fuels, and weaning us from our near total dependency on oil, coal, and to a lesser extent, natural gas should become a number one priority for the new president and the new administration.

A goal of 100 percent “green” electricity by 2020 would set up a ripple effect throughout the entire economy.

Vehicles could be powered solely by plug-in hybrids, which could use biodiesel as their alternative fuel. Millions of new jobs will be created in an alternative energy industry and Americans can be put to work in retrofitting homes to upgrade energy efficiency, in constructing new age, energy efficient homes, in expanding public transportation facilities, and in the creative planning needed to promote a sustainable economy.

Achieving this goal will require an all-out effort on the same scale as our mobilization to defeat the Axis in WW II.

The crisis today is every bit as urgent as the one we faced during those times, but we can prevail if we unite behind a committed president and congress.

I entreat you to take this message to heart.

Roland Micklem

Savannah