We are fortunate in Delaware to have forward-looking, knowledgeable leaders who pay attention to scientific evidence that the Earth is warming faster than predicted. Gov. Matt Meyer; Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control secretary Greg Patterson; Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown; and many others recognize the need to move faster on permitting and interconnection of solar, wind and other emission-free energy sources by continuing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and creating a Climate Action Plan to reduce emissions that have heated Earth’s atmosphere and oceans, resulting in extreme heat, wildfires, stronger storms, flooding, increased sea level rise, etc. The CAP is crucial, so our low-lying state can transition to more solar and wind power, and battery storage.
Other nations are moving faster than the U.S. to phase out oil and “natural” gas (which is methane, a potent heat-holding element). Scientists at the recent United Nations climate summit said that, if we can get close to “net-zero” greenhouse gas emissions, the climate could become more stable within two decades. We can reach that goal if we stop fossil fuel companies’ control of the current administration’s policies and hold them accountable for consequences of global warming. Oil and gas companies have continually spent billions to influence decision-makers to create an oil-dependent economy, while lying about and denying science that proves the disastrous consequences of adding more planet-warming gases than forests, wetlands and oceans can absorb.
Now is the perfect time to reject Big Oil’s power, which has led to the illegal Iran war and the reckless squandering of billions of dollars a day that could certainly be put to better use if Donald Trump focused on the health and well-being of citizens, rather than the desires of the fossil fuel executives.
Much work and innovation is needed but imagine a healthier, greener, more livable Delaware, with clean energy jobs, lower electric bills, cleaner air and an overall better quality of life — instead of the frightening scenario predicted if we fail to take action.
Jeanette Robinson
Dover
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
