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Letter: The military knows climate change is a threat

(Tech. Sgt. Rachelle Blake | U.S. Air Force via AP file photo) An aerial view of Offutt Air Force Base and surrounding areas in Nebraska affected by flood waters on March 17, 2019. After this spring's massive flooding along the Missouri River, many want to blame the agency that manages the river's dams for making the disaster worse, but it may not be that simple. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says much of the water that created this month's flooding came from rain and melting snow that flowed into the river downstream of all the dams, and at the same time, massive amounts of water filled the reservoirs and some had to be released.

The military has warned us that climate change is dangerous on many fronts, including direct impacts on our military infrastructure and the destabilizing forces causing conflict and migration abroad.

Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson announced the need for $4.9 billion additional funding to rebuild and repair two bases heavily damaged by extreme weather events. Tyndall AFB in Florida was devastated by Hurricane Michael and Offutt AFB in Nebraska was flooded by the Missouri River.

At the same time, Trump is taking funds from the military to build his wall. Sen. Mike Lee made a fool of himself making fun of the Green New Deal. There is little doubt that these weather catastrophes, along with destructive wildfires, flooding, hurricanes and drought, are climate-change related. It is time for our politicians to face the new reality of climate disaster and act to curb it.

Urge Congress to support HR763: the bipartisan and revenue neutral Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. It will reduce America’s carbon emissions while helping protect our health, put money in our pockets, and create more than 2 million jobs.

Jean M. Lown, Logan

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By Jean M. Lown | The Public Forum