Let the “Earth Race” mobilize climate fight

Many of us have sought a set of words that would convey the extreme dangers of a disturbed climate. Thomas Friedman in his column (“Earth race will help save nation,” Sept. 27) has just set forth this vital message. He has masterfully blended major issues into a clever slogan, “the Earth Race.”

We are saddled with a climate- denying president whose words and, far more importantly, whose actions have inflicted great harm on environmental stability. Friedman summarizes well the dozens of safeguards protecting our air, water, soil and climate stability that have been discarded by Trump. It seems criminal.

At some point, climate change became a political issue. It is hard to determine when or how, but this notion is not useful. We are left with a large group of people needlessly arguing established science and blocking wise decisions.

Our climate situation is a life issue, more specifically human life. Should unmitigated climate change proceed with reckless abandon, the planet will survive. But the life on this planet will struggle. Human life requires food, water and oxygen, but these essential ingredients for life will be compromised in a disrupted climate. As noted in recent United Nations reports, our future could be very challenging.

Friedman has often written about us uniting to solve this climate crisis. “Earth Race” is a winner. It would unite us to oust a climate scoundrel. It could unite us to elevate climate mitigation efforts to a Manhattan Project level. Finally, this message could spark the world to mobilize important climate mitigation.

Sally Courtright