To the editor:
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. This affects our water, our food, our health, the safety of our homes, our supply chains, the economy, and indeed, every aspect of our lives.
It’s true, but difficult to comprehend that our very existence, as well as the existence of life on Earth, depends on what we do right now.
This is our new reality. Our world is getting hotter, which makes it dryer, which makes it hotter, and so forth. We must burn less carbon. Carbon-free energy like wind, solar, and nuclear power can drive down most of our annual emissions. The rest could, in time, be offset with negative emissions technologies that remove carbon dioxide from the air.
Scientists have been busy for decades, coming up with innovative ways to do things like cool our cities, farm in ways that protect the topsoil, and recycle wastewater.
But these measures only mitigate the damage that has already been done. We need our elected officials to support legislation that will help our country switch to clean, renewable energy, and we need this to happen before it’s too late. We must burn less carbon. Carbon-free energy like wind, solar, and nuclear power can drive down most of our annual emissions as well as create new jobs.
There are also many things we can do ourselves. Every time we take measures to save energy at home, eat more vegetables and less meat or dairy, and walk, bike, or take public transport, we are taking action to limit the long-term damage of climate change.
We know what to do, and we know it can be done. All we need is the will to do what we know is possible.
Bess Conklin
Clarkesville