Local environmentalist Caroline DuBois is championing a new way to save the planet. It is a homemade rolling blackout planned for around the world on June 21, the day of the summer solstice, from 7 to 10 p.m. as opposed to the state enforced rolling blackouts to save electricity, that are plaguing California.

According to the Audubon Society, the aim of the event is to protest George W. Bush's energy policies and lack of emphasis on efficiency, conservation and alternative fuels: a citizen demonstration is being urged. It is a simple protest that is meant as a symbolic act.

The Audubon Society's website says, unplug whatever you can: light a candle to the sun-god; kiss and tell, make love, tell ghost stories, say no to television and avoid the computer.

You should also email government representatives telling them that global education and participation and funding in conservation, efficiency and alternative fuel efforts are important and to tell them to end overexploration and misuses of the earth's resources.

Other environmental groups around the world are asking people to turn off their electrical items, to unplug the TVs and electric clocks of the world.

"Turn off so people can demonstrate to governments how citizens can help," said Ms. DuBois.

She is a member of several environmental groups in the country and they have forwarded messages about the concept to her, including the Audubon Society and the Sierra Club.

"The idea is catching on," she said. "Even if we can make the power plant needle drop 1 percent, we can show the governments that people are ready to conserve electricity."

More information is on the internet on the Audubon Society home page.

What the Oyster Bay Enterprise Pilot likes about the idea of volunteer community action is that when the Town of Oyster Bay first decided that recycling was the way to go, they picked the unincorporated area of Plainview as the place to start. That was because those residents were most vocal in their objection to the Resource Recovery Plant planned for Old Bethpage after they were forced by the state to close their landfill. The town planned to burn the town garbage and convert the steam generated into electricity.

The results in Plainview were okay, but not spectacular. The town decided to extend the program in Hicksville. There was still concern by the elected officials that the plan might not work.

Not to worry! Hicksville residents, it turned out, were waiting to do the right thing. They jumped on the bandwagon with gusto and the program was finally established town-wide.

That is what we think will happen if the United States government asks people to again - do the right thing. In this case that means to conserve electricity and gasoline. People need a leader. That is why we elect a president.

What about it, George?

Remember the old saying, "Let George do it!". Well, it's about time, George. Give the people of the United States the chance to show the world how we really care and appreciate the environment we all share. We are after all, the leader in cleaning up the environment, in spite of using up a lot of the resources ourselves. We are not blameless, but we are a willing people - willing to act responsibly, when given the chance.

- DFK