Sen. Mitt Romney begins his website statement on clean air and energy with: “The United States can and should be a worldwide leader in energy production and in developing solutions to climate change. Any long-term, sustainable solution requires support from both sides of the political aisle.”
He’s right; saving the earth should be nonpartisan. And “sustainability” here means sustaining human civilization in some form that resembles how we live today. Look at our record-breaking heat, look at the devastating fire and smoke maps. We’re headed for years of such catastrophes if we don’t act to curb our carbon emissions. Every year will be worse if we don’t change now.
President Joe Biden understands this necessity for bold action to address climate change. This isn’t a radical position, but it’s a critically important one.
Republicans, alas, have politicized the imperative of saving life on earth. Every Republican senator now opposes Biden’s climate package. With West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin — the senator most beholden to the fossil fuel industry — joining them, Biden can’t pass the legislation we need to lead the world in responding to this existential threat.
Romney can break this impasse. He’s shown admirable steadfastness in standing up for democracy, despite violent opposition from more radical Republicans. Why not do the same for climate action?
I implore Sen. Romney to stand in the well of the Senate and join the 49 senators across the aisle who are intent on acting on behalf of our children and grandchildren. Let the courage of Romney counter the cowardice of Manchin. We can’t pass crucial climate legislation unless we have at least one Republican vote. Let that vote come from Mitt Romney.
Stephen Trimble, Torrey
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