Real emergency?

To the Journal editor:

The U.S. is in the midst of a national emergency–not involving the border with Mexico. We have an urgent and factual emergency: climate change.

We no longer have the option of “waiting and seeing,” as the warming of the Earth produces erratic and severe weather. Model simulations by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimate that Earth will warm between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius over the next century, depending on how fast carbon dioxide emissions grow.

In order to interrupt the warming trend, we need to decrease carbon dioxide emissions. Toward this end, consensus is building in Congress to pass legislation to address climate change.

Recently, a bipartisan bill to reduce carbon emissions was introduced in Congress, titled The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. In short, this act will incentivize new businesses and jobs involved in producing clean energy and also improving air quality by lowering emissions from dirty fuels. Everyone wins with this bill because the health and livelihood of everyone now and in the future is at stake if we do nothing.

I urge everyone concerned about climate change to contact Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, (202-225-4735) and tell him to support the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.

PATTI CLANCY

Marquette