It's as predictable as death and taxes. Every morning in the North County Times, letter writers sound-off on both sides of the "global warming" debate, blowing hot air over government subsidies for green technology and the viability of clean energy in addressing the global warming issue.

First, a recommendation: Stop calling it global warming. Even though I work in the alternative energy sector I am not a fan of Al Gore's misinformation and don't subscribe to his fuzzy global warming theory (a recent Rasmussen poll also reports that only 34 percent of voter believe global warming is caused by humans).

So how can I be against Gore's theory, make money and not be a hypocrite taking advantage of a fuzzy situation? Simple. Having had childhood asthma, clean air (not polar bears' survival) is a major issue for me. Actually, the economic health of our nation, as well as the lungs/health of humans (and all living, breathing things, including polar bears) matters deeply to me.

But most importantly, I also have a huge distaste for our dependency on Middle East oil and the ongoing transfer of wealth to people who want to destroy our republic.

Yes, the facts show that the climate is changing. But instead of pointing the finger at everyone who uses fossil fuels for this change, how about blaming Mother Nature? Around 90 percent (this number varies) of all carbon dioxide gases are emitted naturally. So, if the inhabitants of Earth were to stop using all fossil fuels, it would only reduce the amount of C02 by 5 to 10 percent. Granted, 5 to 10 percent "could" change the course of things -- maybe.

But if the country's most populous state and the seventh-largest economy in the world has decreased its smog by 55 percent, how is the situation still dire?

According to a 2004 Tufts University study, Los Angeles County's population grew by 29 percent and miles driven increased by 70 percent from 1980-2002.

Yet smog declined by 55 percent and the ozone alert days declined from 150 days per year in the early 80s to 20-30 days in 2004.

But we Americans are still asked to cut back on our use of fossil fuels, buy expensive, earth-friendly vehicles, change our light bulbs and recycle.

Meanwhile countries like China, India and others are negating our efforts with their unchecked pollution. And unfortunately, these countries and others aren't the only ones feeling the affects of their lack of pollution controls -- we all do (but it has helped to create a whole new industry).

So, what are we to do? I have some suggestions:

First, stop calling it global warming and call it what it is: climate change (which has been happening since long before humans inhabited earth).

Secondly, place a "green tariff" on goods purchased from polluting countries. This money, instead of our tax dollars, can be used to fund alternative energy subsidies. Cheaper products from polluting countries, where they don't have costly pollution regulations, place an unfair burden on American businesses. So let's even the playing field.

Finally, let's ask Ma Nature to cut back on her CO2 production.

Kevin Konczal lives in Carlsbad and is a clean energy consultant. Contact him at Kevin@Konczal.com.