Climate change real

To the Journal editor:

In your Sunday, Aug. 11 issue, you printed an editorial entitled “Climate change getting harder to deny, ignore.” I want to thank The Mining Journal for publishing this opinion to draw attention to the urgent action needed to slow this dangerous climate change that threatens our planet.

In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that June and July 2019 ended up as the warmest sixth and seventh months, respectively, in terms of global average temperature since records began in 1880. NOAA also indicates the warmest five years since 1880 have all occurred since 2014, with 2016 being the warmest. In addition to these warming temperatures, the recently issued Fourth U.S. National Climate Assessment states the frequency of heavy precipitation events/floods and droughts/wildfires is increasing as a result of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and other actions, such as deforestation. These warming temperatures and more frequent weather-related disasters will have significant long-term negative impacts on our society and economy.

Fortunately, a bi-partisan group has introduced the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 763) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation will encourage a transition to clean, renewable energy sources, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in 12 years. The growth of the solar, wind and other green energy industries will also create an estimated 2.1 million jobs, helping our economy to expand further. I urge your readers to contact our Rep Jack Bergman and encourage him to co-sponsor H.R. 763.

As the Mining Journal pointed out in the Aug. 11 editorial, another effective way we can slow climate change is to eat more healthy plant-based meals and less meat, which could reduce the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases by as much as 15% by 2050. Since we could feed so many more people by giving them the plants that we feed animals (eliminating the “middle” man), we would reduce hunger as well as improving the health of our population. The local group Northern Vegans can help your readers make this transition to a more plant-based lifestyle. They can contact the group by emailing info@northernvegans.com, calling 906-236-1279 or going to the Northern Vegans’ Facebook page.

KEVIN CRUPI

Marquette