Stop using oil

I take strong issue with Don Ritter’s “The world will not stop burning coal and using oil” (Dec, 29) advocating for the continued use of fossil fuels. Let’s say for the sake of argument that climate scientists are wrong and human-causedclimate change is no big deal. There are still many reasons to transition away from fossil fuels ASAP, a very few of whichare highlighted below.

Foremost, the transition away from oil dependent economies will be the end of the oil wars that have caused the suffering and deaths of millions in the past and continue to this day. Part of every dollar spent on gas goes to sponsor Putin’s aggression in Ukraine. Ritter’s assertion that thecontinued use of oil will somehow promote democracy in authoritarianoil producing states is agrotesque twist of logic.

Ritter fails to mention in his lauding of Pennsylvania coal jobs is the surge in severe respiratory illnesses caused by inhalation of coal and silica dust by miners. In addition the burning of fossil fuels negatively affects the health of millions world wide.

Ritter without evidence assumes that the transition to renewables will be bad for the economy, completely ignoring the many severe economic disruptions in the past caused by fluctuation in the cost and availability of fossil fuels. Renewables are cheaper than fossil fuels today and their cost is only decreasing.

In summary if human-caused climate change is no big deal then the transition to renewables will be very beneficial. However, if human-caused climate change is a big deal then failure to transition to renewableswill be catastrophic. WALTER MASTROPAOLO

Louisville