Need solutions on climate, not more fear

Kate Williams’ opinion article is the same old “sky is falling” opinion article we have been hearing and reading about for years. Yes, climate change is upon us and we can do more as a society to slow or prevent it. Kate’s article, as with most of these types of opinion articles, complains about the need for policy change without offering any clear and concise policy.

Our society, as well as our GDP, is based on oil. If you stop oil production, the economy will fall into a deep depression. If you tax oil without a clear plan to change energy production, the economy will suffer. Oil is used in every aspect of our life, from transportation and energy to the products we use daily.

We all want a cleaner environment and clean energy. Auto manufactures are constantly increasing the efficiency and reduction of carbon every year. A 5 percent reduction in all cars’ emissions would reduce greenhouse gasses more than total production of new electric cars. In addition, the electricity used in electric cars is powered by carbon-based energy plants.

Every prediction of catastrophe in the past 30 years has been wrong, Everything Al Gore predicted did not come true, I think we have time. Instead of screaming about the emergency, it would be better to promote a solution to the problem. All the excitement is creating white noise — we’ve heard it before.

The discussion should be: How can we move from an oil-based economy to a greener economy without an economic collapse? That is an article I would take seriously. Ms. Williams time would be better spent focusing on the solution, not the problem.

Michael Mears Fairfield