Tenney must take the side of climate science

Rep. Claudia Tenney has once again used social media to essentially blame the DEC for flooding.

She recently stated future flood damage could be prevented without the DEC’s “onerous rules” concerning streams and waterways. Ms. Tenney failed to attribute blame to the single largest cause of flooding—climate change.

Global temperatures are rising; 16 of the hottest years ever recorded have occurred since 2001. Warmer temperatures mean warmer oceans and rising sea levels. This leads to increasingly powerful storms that carry more water inland in the form of storm surge and torrential rains. Scientists are now considering creating a newCategory 6 hurricane classification to accommodate these monster storms.

While her NewYork constituents don’t have to worry about storm surge, we have already witnessed record rainfalls and catastrophic flooding. Human activity, such as burning fossil fuels, (including methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide for energy production and use, transportation, industry, and agriculture) have resulted in unprecedented levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The scientific consensus is that human activity is the dominant cause of Earth’s rising temperature. Without immediate action irreversible damage is likely.

As a nurse, I am very concerned with the significant threat climate change poses to public and environmental health. In addition to drought, famine, and flooding, we face increased risk from tropical diseases and a massive influx of climate change refugees.

As a member of the Climate Solutions Caucus, Ms. Tenney must actively engage to drastically reduce global emissions. If she is truly concerned with preserving the health and property of New Yorkers, it is imperative that she stop voting to deregulate. Her votes often side with the very industries that are creating the single greatest threat mankind has ever faced. She cannot applaud the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, while the rest of the world moves aggressively toward fossil fuel independence. She must stop laying responsibility with the DEC.

I encourage all voters to select candidates who believe in science and fight for renewable energy solutions, not those who value corporate profits over our very survival.

Renee L. Havener, Georgetown