The Risks of U.S. Inaction on Climate Change
Via NYTimes
To the Editor:
Re “Fighting Trump on Climate, California Becomes a Global Force” (“Runaway State” series, front page, May 25):
Climate change is not an us-versus-them issue; it affects all of us, and it is the most critical issue that the world faces. While President Trump shows his ignorance on these matters, glaciers will continue to melt, ocean levels will rise and erratic weather patterns will worsen. With other contentious issues, such as health care, a wrong move might hurt many Americans for a few years but can be corrected by future administrations. But lack of action on climate change causes damage that is cumulative and largely irreversible within our life spans.
To the Editor:
As a California environmentalist, I am proud of the efforts of our state to address our most significant environmental and social justice issue — climate change. Gov. Jerry Brown’s meeting with China next month is good news because China and California will lead the technological and manufacturing pioneering needed to transition from fossil fuels in time to avoid bigger problems.
To the Editor:
Re “On Climate, Look to China and India” (editorial, May 22):
You rightly note that China and India are fast scaling up cleaner sources of electricity, particularly wind and solar power, raising questions about the United States’ role. But your contention that “China and India are finding that doing right by the planet need not carry a big economic cost” misses an important point. These two countries — like the United States — have been economically inefficient in many of the key policies and financial tools they have used to scale up renewable energy. The result: Renewable energy has cost more than it should.
To the Editor:
Re “ ‘Vulnerable Voices’ Lash Out as Companies Sway Climate Talks” (front page, May 17):
I’m ashamed, but not at all surprised, that the United States is among the few countries defending the fossil fuel industry and rejecting a common-sense conflict-of-interest policy at the global climate talks. After all, President Trump nominated — and the Senate confirmed — the former chief executive of Exxon Mobil to lead the State Department.
To the Editor:
We find ourselves at an extraordinary moment in history. Climate change threatens to destabilize our planet and is predicted to force millions of people to flee their homes and their ways of life. And yet for too long, governments have not championed the systemwide solutions we so desperately need.
To the Editor:
Re “Pruitt’s E.P.A. Is Boon to Oil and Gas” (front page, May 21):
The evolution of Devon Energy into a major fossil fuel industry force with alarming influence over public health and environmental standards didn’t start with Scott Pruitt’s fox-guarding-the-henhouse takeover of the Environmental Protection Agency.
