This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
With the recent terrorist attempt originating in Yemen, we see the emergence of more activity that threatens lives around the world coming from countries that are considered failed or failing states, governments that have little or no control over what happens in their country.
Then this year, flooding in Pakistan displaced 20 million, adding stress to a country that possesses nuclear weapons. More and more, we hear about 100-year storms happening every five years. Climate change must now be considered an issue of national security.
Hence, we must ask our leaders in the next Congress to place a fee on carbon-based fuels as the most direct and transparent way to move to clean energy and mitigate the effects of climate change. If we don't stop burning fossil fuels, we will not be able to shut this environmental Pandora's box, and nature will pressure these lawless states into acts of survival that will have grave consequences for us all.
Bill Barron
Salt Lake City