Although there is much yet to be said about the importance of locally produced food, I am compelled by the significance of a recent event to redirect the discussion.

On July 17, 2008, Al Gore laid down the following challenge: ". . . Today I challenge our nation to commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years. This goal is achievable, affordable and transformative. It represents a challenge to all Americans - in every walk of life: to our political leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, engineers, and to every citizen."

On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy delivered the following before a joint session of Congress: ". . . First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. . . . We propose additional funds for other engine development and for unmanned explorations--explorations which are particularly important for one purpose which this nation will never overlook: the survival of the man who first makes this daring flight. But in a very real sense, it will not be one man going to the moon--if we make this judgment affirmatively, it will be an entire nation. For all of us must work to put him there."

Numerous detractors of Going to the Moon sited the project would be impossible, unaffordable, unrewarding, unnecessary. . . . Yet we did it. I vividly remember where I was when I watched Neal Armstrong step onto the Moon and I would wager that many of you do as well. As President Kennedy proclaimed, we were all there with him. I will never forget it.

The effort was indeed transforming. We gained new insights into our nature and the nature of the universe. The Moon program gave birth to the computer. No one (except perhaps a few) saw it coming but few will deny that the computer, as an industry, now effects all our lives and comprises a large proportion of our domestic and international economy. Other spin-offs include; satellites, solar panels, fuel cells, magnetic bearings, micro-lasers, Doppler radar, Moon Boot material for athletic shoes, flat panel television. . . - the list goes on and on. Yet the most important effect was not material. With Armstrong's one small step for man, America regained its self respect and the respect of the world - a renewed sense of solidarity and national pride made us happy to be called an American.

Numerous detractors of Going Renewable have again been pronouncing that the project is impossible, unaffordable, unrewarding, unnecessary. . . . Yet if we set our mind to it we can do it. If we were to embrace Gore's challenge, an explosion of possibilities would appear. In designing and building a truly effective renewable power system, we will invent something of great value to ourselves and to the world. Equally important will be the myriad of spin-offs, as yet to be imagined, that will impact our lives no less than Going to the Moon. It will fuel the next revolution in technology and will definitely be good for business. While perfecting a sustainable power system is a very desirable outcome, it will never be capable of supporting our current trajectory of expecting all the power one could ever want/use. We must learn to use less and do more with it. This, in my opinion, may prove to be the most valuable aspect of our commitment. It may bring us to realize that increased consumption is not adding to our happiness. It may ask us to reexamine our lives. It may raise the hopes that the world can be something other than a depressing brutal conflict to secure diminishing resources. It may cause us to become healthier as a nation. It may encourage us to reinvest in Peace and Justice. It may rejuvenate a sense of spirit within us too long subsumed by an exaggerated pursuit of material gain. It may win a new respect for our nation among nations and may, once again, make us happy to be called an American.