We can’t wait to act on climate change
I couldn’t agree more with the need and ability for individuals to take the actions to do their part to combat climate change. I would add that rather than talking about adding a price on carbon emissions (i.e. a tax) we should discuss “shifting” our tax system away from taxing our incomes and more towards taxing negative environmental behavior. Citizens could, therefore, pay the same or less taxes depending on their willingness to adapt to what is necessary.
Bjorn Lomborg, in his opposing view “Don’t panic; focus on green energy R&D,” once again fails to recognize that timing is everything in complex ecosystems. It could be theoretically cheaper for future, wealthier generations to pay for climate mitigation. But what future wealth can we expect when oceans are acidified, fisheries and other marine life collapse, agriculture is highly disrupted and impaired, and major coastal populations need to be protected or relocated? All the money in the world won’t return us to normal.
Steven Borncamp
Pasadena, Calif.
Lomborg perpetuates a tired myth that the world must choose between development and poverty eradication on one hand, and climate action on the other. Unchecked climate change will likely be the biggest threat to poverty eradication, worsening the health and well-being of millions of people in the next decades. It won’t be possible to simply adapt our way out of extreme heat waves, food and water scarcity, increased flooding and more intense storms.
The public health benefits of transitioning away from fossil fuels are immense, especially in developing countries. More and more, renewable energy and off-grid technologies are proving to be winning options as their costs continue to plunge.
With climate change already unfolding around us, delaying action would leave our children in a dangerously altered and impoverished world.
Rachel Cleetus, policy director Union of Concerned Scientists
Arlington, Mass.
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