True costs of fossil fuels

Thanks for the article in the Monday Tribune on the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference (“UN climate conference kicks off amid world’s many crises”). I was surprised in the lead-up to the midterm elections that there was minimal coverage on TV news of the climate crisis. In fact, climate was not even among the top five issues of concern to voters this election season.

It is hard to argue with the importance of other issues, namely the economy. But to put it in perspective: I have lived through the Great Recession and stagflation in my lifetime, and our current inflation seems mild compared to those crises. It is worth noting that we still have less than 4% unemployment, despite the “scourge” of inflation.

Climate change is a crisis that affects many in this country and the world. The effects could become catastrophic if the issue is not addressed immediately. Yet very little is heard on the campaign trail or in the news now about the issue.

I sincerely hope that the newly elected Congress in Washington will take up the challenge. The Inflation Reduction Act contains hundreds of billions of dollars in spending approved for climate action, but Congress will have much to say about how and when it is spent. I hope the legislature will act responsibly in spending this money and consider longer-lasting bipartisan efforts that might include a carbon tax. Such a tax has been implemented successfully in Canada, among other nations.

The United States is a laggard regarding recognizing the true costs of fossil fuels and their resulting greenhouse gas emissions. We should be a leader.

— Richard Swanson, Brookfield