Driving around Moultrie and Colquitt County, one will see more and more solar panels in place. This is a good sight. It means more and more people are beginning to embrace the idea of alternate energy sources.

In the big picture, alternate energy is not just about addressing the issue of renewable sources but also about cleaner sources of energy. And further, this relates to climate issues.

We live in mostly a pastoral setting here in South Georgia where fuel emissions may not seem a big issue. But when we travel to larger cities we see and smell the aggregation of those emissions. That’s a great contrast. And we should be careful not to embrace a false sense of security because of our geography.

We have considerable data from scientists around the world that climate change is taking place and that the byproducts of our modern society impact that change. And even if it didn’t, it certainly impacts the quality of the air we breathe, which can translate to serious cardio-pulmonary issues.

The Brookings Institution recently reported that between the years 2000 and 2014, 33 states and the District of Columbia cut carbon emission while expanding their economies. That list includes predominantly Republican-led states, and it includes Georgia.

Analysts recently noted that state governments will play vital roles in continuing climate change protocols.

President-elect Donald Trump has made light of climate change reports in the past, even calling it a hoax. It’s hard to know just how pro-active he will be on this matter once he takes office. He has eased back on some of this more obtuse campaign proclamations. Some of his cabinet choices have also been reluctant to embrace the findings of our scientists in this regard.

The fact that state leaders are pushing energy efficiency, alternate energy and cleaner air may be our saving grace for the moment.

Again let’s not be complacent on these matters just because we live in an area of much less emissions and pollution. Let’s continue to educate ourselves on the subject and have intelligent dialogue about it. A false sense of security can be dangerous. This is a “big picture” issue.