Horrendous effects

Your lead story “Civilians evacuated from Mariupol as Pelosi visits Kyiv” (May 2) is just the latest example of the very negative effects of Russia’s unjustified, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. In addition to the major loss of life and devastation of property in Ukraine, the war is driving up food and energy prices, and having very negative environmental effects.

Ending the war soon must be a major priority, so I would like to suggest a way to help accomplish it: make Putin, other Russian leaders and the entire world aware that continuation of the war means, in addition to the other horrendous effects, that Russia and the entire world are almost certain to face a climate catastrophe in the very near future. While Putin is unlikely to be swayed by this argument, perhaps some of his close associates might be sufficiently motivated to find a way to remove him from leadership, leading to a ceasefire.

Without taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the world may soon reach an irreversible climate tipping point. Let us consider the many ways that the war in Ukraine makes a climate catastrophe far more likely. The daily horrific scenes of the war’s devastation has shifted the world’s attention away from the importance of addressing the climate crisis. Much energy has been used to create bombs and other military equipment, releasing fossil fuels into the atmosphere.

Much additional fossil fuel will be emitted in rebuilding the destroyed Ukrainian homes, cars and infrastructure. While many nations have pledged to make major reductions in their use of fossil fuels, they have been forced to take steps to quickly increase production because of shortages due to sanctions against Russia.

My suggestion may seem unrealistic, but because the war makes the existential threat of climate change more likely, every possibility must be considered.

RICHARD H. SCHWARTZ

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