Protecting the Great Lakes is vital for the economy
Thank you for the informative article on April 27 covering how the Trump administration’s plans to repeal environmental rules will impact the Great Lakes region (“Efforts to Repeal Environmental Rules Face Hurdles”). The Great Lakes are an important economic engine, an important ecological resource and a source of fresh drinking water for many cities.
Protecting the Great Lakes region is going to be made even more challenging by climate change. As the article notes: “It’s made more difficult by climate change. Warmer waters are an issue,” said Lana Pollock, U.S. chair of the International Joint Commission. She mentioned heavier downpours that push algae-forming nutrients into the water and biological changes brought by zebra mussels and quagga mussels.
The vast majority of scientists say greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from fossil fuel use, are the cause of the climate change and extreme weather. Extreme weather helps to drive algal blooms by washing nutrients from farmland into the lakes. These algal blooms can cause cities along the Great Lakes to lose access to drinking water.
Moreover, the vast majority of scientists and economists say the best way to lower emissions is with a national, revenue-neutral carbon tax that would reduce emissions in all sectors of our economy efficiently and equitably. If Congress requires that the tax be rebated to households, then consumers can be protected from price increases.
If energy costs go up a little bit, consider it a small price to pay to protect the fresh water, tourism and livelihoods of those who depend on our Great Lakes. DANA SILER Squirrel Hill Cures Its Own Addicts,” May 1).
That singular description of the press (“nattering nabobs of negativism”) was used by Republican Vice President Spiro Agnew — who resigned when his criminal activity was uncovered. Mr. Agnew worked for President Richard Nixon — who resigned when his own criminal activities were uncovered (by the nattering nabobs).
Ms. Dailey’s choice of that particular pejorative to describe NBC News makes me think she has acquired a new addiction — perhaps to early morning tweets?
Or maybe it’s a subtle prediction about His Trumpness. BOB MARRS
Bethel Park
Donald Trump works for the American people, the “We the people” in the Constitution of the United States. He is our employee: we are his bosses.
One of the reasons past presidents have released their tax returns is to prove to and to reassure the American people that he will serve their interests rather than his own.
We, the people, have no such reassurance from Mr. Trump and we have every reason to believe that everything he does is either 1) to feather his own nest, or 2) to feed his nearly insatiable ego. Or both. I think there’s plenty of evidence to fire him. LIANE ELLISON NORMAN
Shadyside
Recently in an interview with John Dickerson of CBS News, Donald Trump implied that some of his past jobs were tougher than being our president. How could any job be more demanding than having the responsibility for the safety and prosperity of 325 million Americans?
Was Mr. Trump referring to his years as host of his Apprentice television shows or his involvement with the now-defunct Trump University?
I just pray that our federal representatives and senators have the courage to prevent this man from ruining our country. DAVE OSTER Jefferson Hills
The photograph of the woman in the rain with an umbrella, which appeared May 2 on the front of Local News, is a work of art. It looks like a watercolor painting. Photographer Stephanie Strasburg is to be commended for her fine work. NANCY KENNEDY Crafton