Sustainable energy is our future

When I came to Pittsburgh as a college freshman, I found myself in a forward-thinking city. Pittsburgh, a former mecca of the steel industry, embraced the transition to a sustainable future and committed to sourcing 100 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2035.

This city has proved that a sustainable future isn’t only possible, but that it means new jobs, a healthier economy and a higher quality of life. This is a place where young people like myself want to live, create jobs and change the world.

However, it’s time we think larger and take the next step to a truly sustainable future. State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Philadelphia, advocates legislation to transition Pennsylvania to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050, and it is the strongest commitment yet to our home state and our home planet.

Fossil fuels are an aging industry, responsible for the pollution of our land and the destruction of our environment. As more coal plants are shuttered and solar farms open, the path forward is as clear as day. If we fail to act at this critical juncture, we will lose one of the most powerful economic development opportunities for our state.

Jobs in sustainable energy won’t dry up with the fracking wells, won’t pollute our water and our air, and are proving all across the country and the world that the future is renewable. I urge our legislators to support Rep. Rabb, our economy and our home. GABE BROWER Oakland