Panel: Power in the People Panel: Power in the people The environmental problems of Florida and the world are daunting, but positive steps by government and the public can be taken, panelists at a University of Miami forum said Monday. MICHAEL VASQUEZ Miami Herald, 10/17/06 The facts as presented were sometimes depressing: The United States is dependent on foreign oil -- ''addicted'' was the word often used. That addition threatens the world's environmental future, particularly a Florida coastline that could suffer catastrophically from the rising-sea effects of global warming. Technologies have been invented to help solve our energy problems, yet those technologies often go unused. But before attendees at a Monday night energy-issues town hall meeting got too down in the doldrums, a varied panel of experts assured them that all was not lost. Even better, they were told, it is in the power of average citizens, as both voters and consumers, to turn things around. ''Somebody's got to start,'' former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham told the crowd of more than 50 people at the University of Miami's Storer Auditorium. ``If not us, who? If not now, when?'' Graham, speaking at a ''Re-energize America'' forum organized by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the National Council of Churches USA, argued Florida needs to take more of a leadership role nationally in environmental issues. One way for that to happen, he said: Voters must exert pressure on their elected officials. When one audience member complained that Florida Power & Light was not doing enough to encourage solar power use, Graham told him that the state commission charged with regulating FPL has its members appointed by the governor. Graham advised the audience member to send letters to the current gubernatorial candidates. On the local government level, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz talked of his city's plans to encourage the construction of energy efficient ''green'' buildings, as well as Miami's commitment to adding 1,000 hybrid cars to its city fleet by 2012. That second measure involves Miami using its shopping power as a consumer, something panelists reminded the public they can also do. The religious clergy, as well, can play a powerful role in protecting the environment, said panel member Brenda Girton-Mitchell of the National Council of the Churches USA. The council, composed of more than 30 different Christian denominations, produces teaching literature -- some available for free via its website, www.ncccusa.org -- that links the current environmental debate to spiritual values stressing the sacredness of the Earth. Said Girton-Mitchell: ``The church has a chance to bring a moral voice to this conversation.''