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Believe the science

To the Journal editor:

The great majority of the most qualified individuals in my field of atmospheric and earth science believe human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and other activities are responsible for a dangerous climate change/global warming and that urgent action to reduce our footprint is necessary to avoid the worst impacts.

In fact, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration reports 2019 ended up as the second warmest year on record in terms of global average temperature since 1880. NOAA also indicates the six warmest years have all occurred since 2014, with 2016 barely edging out 2019 as the warmest.

The change in atmospheric circulation patterns associated with this warming atmosphere will also result in a higher probability of extreme weather occurrences, both flooding and drought in addition to more heat waves/occasional periods of very cold weather.

The higher probability of the occurrence of these extreme weather events, like the Father’s Day 2018 Keweenaw flood and the heat/drought that have fueled the fires now ravaging Australia, will require expensive responses that exacerbate budget deficits. Climate change will also increase health care and environmental expenses as well as the extinction of wildlife.

Pope Francis has become an advocate for urgent action to reverse this dangerous climate change, understanding that our duty to be good stewards of the Creation requires a vigorous response. Calling climate change “one of the most serious and worrying phenomena of our time,” the Pope said that states have a duty to fight against it and that despite the weak response shown by many, a “window of opportunity is still open.”

Fortunately, a bi-partisan group has introduced a revenue-neutral bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to take action to reverse this well documented, dangerous human-caused climate change. H.R. 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, would encourage a transition to clean, renewable energy sources and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are responsible for this problem.

I urge your readers to call U.S. Rep Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, and ask him to support passage of H.R. 763. I also hope they will contact our Senators Stabenow and Peters and ask them to support introduction and passage of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act in the Senate.

They can go to cclusa.org/call and follow the listed scripts to reach our legislators to insist on the action called for by Pope Francis.

KEVIN CRUPI

Marquette

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