In a variety of ways I have been asked the following question: Vermont is a small state with a significant environmental ethic. How is it that you think it's going to make any difference at all to global warming for our state to reduce our emissions? Aren't there more important issues we should be dealing with?

As I was sworn in for a second term as Speaker of the Vermont House I pledged to challenge the legislature to work for a prosperous Vermont for future generations. While we certainly are addressing current pressures such as rising property taxes and the need for more affordable health care, we must also face up to decisions that will determine the quality of jobs and communities our children and grandchildren find in Vermont.

As the session finishes its first month, legislators have settled into the work of their individual committees. Four of the fourteen committees in the House and four of the eleven Senate committees have focused on Global Warming and Economic Opportunity. While those discussions have garnered the greatest attention of the press, there is a great deal of work also underway addressing school costs and property taxes, broadband access, affordable health care, water quality, campaign finance, and the short and long term challenges of Vermont's agricultural economy, to name just a few.

But, why so much attention to global warming in a state that's so small and already fairly environmentally conscious? Because if Vermont addresses global warming in a proactive way we can take advantage of opportunities for job growth, rather than sit back and react to a series of problems that leave us bundled in sweaters in the dark a few years down the road.

As the reality of global warming affects all aspects of our lives, it will lead to new inventiveness, entrepreneurial activity and economic opportunity. Vermont has been left on the sidelines of other major national economic developments that created silicon valley, the dot.com world or biotech on Boston's Rte 128. The opportunities that come with global warming could find a welcome home in Vermont, a state whose "brand" is so consistent with environmental ethics and a state that hosts more institutions of higher learning per person than any state in the union.

Vermont can attract the coming wave of entrepreneurs seeking a place to grow their climate change related businesses. However, in order to win their attention we must act on our ethics and regain our leadership role in addressing environmental degradation, particularly in building a more secure, reliable and clean energy future and reducing our own carbon footprint.

Additionally, while we are a small state, Vermont is a state that leads. By establishing state policies that foster conservation and renewable energy, we can serve as a model for other states. When New York and Pennsylvania follow our lead, we will have made a big difference for future generations.

Please contact me with questions or concerns at gsym@together.net or by calling 802 828 2245. It's an honor to continue to serve Jericho, Underhill and Bolton in the statehouse.