Our culture doesn't want to do without - we want to have the latest and greatest. Most Americans would rather buy alternative fuels than ride their bikes to work, or heat their homes with renewable energy rather than put on a sweater. So if you can't fight 'em, join 'em?

The governor thinks we shouldn't have to make sacrifices to limit climate change and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Why do without life's amenities when we can have them if chosen wisely? His example? Rather than swimming in a non-heated pool, Crist chose to heat his with solar power.

He's pushing the sunshine state to produce more sugar cane for ethanol and citrus waste. And he called for state utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2025, which would use California's stricter auto emission standards. In a partnership with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the two states also hope to sign international climate treaties with foreign countries soon.

The governor certainly understands American culture, which is the first step in convincing the public to change its ways.

But I have two concerns. It's great to use alternative fuels and renewable sources of energy - but sometimes these are more expensive and harder to come by for the average American. And without cutting our levels of consumption, will we actually decrease our emissions of greenhouse gases? I could drive the same amount with biofuel, but that wouldn't necessarily mean I'd be eliminating emissions because many alternative fuels still produce harmful greenhouse gases. Although Crist's choice of biofuel – ethanol from sugar cane – is a much cleaner biofuel than corn-based ethanol.

When it comes down to it, there is no easy way out. We should make our energy choices wisely, but we should still cut back whenever possible.