In Texas, Climate Creeping onto Agenda

Texas emits more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than any other state. And if Texas were a country, it would be the seventh-largest carbon dioxide polluter in the world.

Texas's high carbon dioxide output and large energy consumption is primarily a result of large coal-burning power plants and gas-guzzling vehicles, both of which contribute to the pollution problem. But while many Texans think bigger is better, there are signs of an attitude change on energy consumption.

The National Car of Texas

Climate activists say that giant 14-mile-per-gallon Chevy Suburbans — once marketed as the National Car of Texas — are part of the problem.

Texas is the nation's largest energy hog because it has a lot of industry, a lot of people, a lot of air conditioning, a lot of miles and a lot of big cars. Tangi Spencer, a movie caterer in Dallas, explains the big-car phenomenon in Texas quite simply: "Here, it's the bigger the truck, the better off you are; the bigger the gas guzzler you are, the better off you are."

But efforts are being made, even by religious leaders, to try to minimize consumption. In a sermon one Sunday by Rev. Raymond Bailey, pastor of Seventh & James Baptist Church in Waco, he suggested that his flock consider reducing so many trips in their cars. His message was not received too favorably by a few members of his church.

"They said to me, 'Now preacher, now don't mess with our cars, I'm not going to give up my car.' And that's just human nature," Bailey says. "We are willing to call for sacrifice on the part of others, but not on self. And this global warming is a very good example of that."

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