Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Earth Day Letter: U.S. should take lead in creating low-carbon economy

This letter appears today in the Asbury Park Press:


Earth Day is a good time to be reminded that all of us on this planet share the “global commons.”

Peer-reviewed climate scientists such as in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report agree we must reduce the greenhouse gasses that cause dangerous climate disruption. Staying with Business as Usual is not going to get us off the path to more “global weirding” as climate scientist Dr. Katherine Hayhoe calls it.

Given the global nature of the challenge, I was surprised at Eugene Robinson’s concluding remark in his recent commentary (“On climate, business as usual,” April 18,). He said that if China’s leaders begin to transition to renewable energy, maybe the world has a chance.

My question is: since when does the United States of America wait for someone else to take the lead?

If the U.S. would lead the way to a new low-carbon economy, other countries would follow.

Furthermore, American innovation and enterprise would benefit our economy and increase good, long-term jobs.

We can act in our own national interest while leading the way to a safer “global commons” for all.

Lynn Dash

Middletown

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