Thomas Reese’s commentary is well thought out and well described. Fortunately, and unfortunately, his conclusions are true.
Fortunately, mankind has the technology and ability to mitigate climate change issues. Renewable energy sources are available to replace much of the fossil fuel use in our everyday life. By reducing our carbon and methane emissions, we can lessen the negative effects that man brought to our planet after the Industrial Revolution.
Unfortunately, mankind is often greedy and that is especially true with the oil and gas industry. They and their lobbyists have been spreading misinformation to delay the transition to a renewable energy economy. Too many people still question, or at least voice an indifference, to the speed at which this transition is needed. Additionally, our politicians have chosen to make climate change a partisan issue. Everyday people might think about writing, emailing, calling, and finding other ways to let our elected officials know that we want effective climate legislation to protect our planet. We need to let them know if they don’t support climate efforts, we will not re-elect them.
Utah’s John Curtis is one of the strongest Republican voices on climate related issues and the original founder of the Conservative Climate Caucus. As much as I look to Rep. Curtis to lead on climate issues, I don’t see any meaningful bipartisan climate-related bills he or the caucus have co-authored. I remind all of the members of Congress that, due to climate change, weather related events have left much death, destruction, and devastation in its paths across our nation.
This shouldn’t be a partisan issue, as the havoc sustained is nonpartisan. Any lasting solution requires all of us to act together.
Jonathan Light, Laguna Niguel, Calif.