The most recent report on greenhouse gas-induced climate change claims that the problem is even worse than previously thought. Could Dane County and the city of Madison do anything that would make a difference? Yes. Wind turbines in city parks or solar panels on city buildings? Nonsense; too expensive and ineffective.

But the city and county could have a major impact with policies that would cost them little money and would have the added benefit of cleaning the air and reducing traffic congestion. How? By taking steps to make the buses free, as they are, for example, in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

How to pay for it? By raising daytime parking rates in downtown ramps.

Make parking free for the first hour to benefit shoppers, library patrons, etc., but increase the hourly charge after the first hour enough to encourage those who park all day to use a bus instead. Add a surcharge for entering before 9 a.m. But make parking free after 6 p.m., both to encourage people to come down for meals and entertainment and to keep the streets clear for plowing during winter.

Those changes, combined with providing adequate parking near the bus transfer hubs, could quickly reduce driving and gasoline consumption without much expense to the city or county.

Surface parking lots could be built or bought on the edges of the city near bus stops. Instead of building parking ramps downtown, put them near the bus transfer hubs and selected bus stops away from downtown.

I know this sounds too radical for Madison, but it is something to consider if we are to get serious about greenhouse gas emissions.