Editor:
Last week’s letter writer who suggests keeping an open mind about climate change has been influenced by the fossil-fuel-funded, climate-denier industry. Stating that “eminent scientists” have challenged the view that an increase in greenhouse gases leads to global warming is simply wrong. Climate scientists the world over agree that as GHG increases, global temperature rises – hence the term greenhouse gas! With humans currently dumping 35 to 40 billion tons of CO2 into our atmosphere annually, how could we not be changing our climate?
The fossil fuel industry knows that by raising doubt, people will fail to act. With each successive year setting higher global temperature records, scientists are increasingly urging us to act quickly to prevent catastrophic warming. In addition to taxing carbon, countries must cut subsidies to the oil and gas industry and instead incentivize conservation and energy alternatives like solar and geothermal.
By not acknowledging and dealing with humanity’s role in altering our world, we condemn future generations to ever more extreme weather, rising sea levels and massive extinctions. It’s an uncomfortable truth that humanity is causing global warming, since it means we have to change our ways to save ourselves and other species. But moving to a fossil-fuel-free future also means creating a better life and a healthier world. Our new federal government seems ready to take a lead role in the Paris talks - let’s support them in this.
Gayle Neilson, Gibsons
