Thanks for The Washington Post story headlined “World is off course to prevent 2 degrees Celsius of warming, report says” (Herald online, published June 16.) Publications like this are exactly the types of information that needs to be brought to the public’s attention.
On June 2, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed Clean Power Plan, per its authority under the Clean Air Act. The development of this rule was announced by President Obama during his June 25, 2013, climate policy speech. The Clean Power Plan would establish different target emission rates (pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour) for each state due to regional variations in generation mix and electricity consumption, but overall is projected to achieve a 30 percent cut from 2005 emissions by 2030.
So why isn’t more being done to prevent further damage now? It’s time for the U.S. to step forward and do its part and stop worrying so much about greedy politicians pockets.’ Coal is our main contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and keeping it as our main source of fuel is outright irresponsible. The obvious signs of climate change (like wildfire and drought) are affecting Colorado already and there are alternative, effective sources of energy (such as solar and wind power) technologically available.
When will politicians and their industry allies learn that our old steadfast way of life is not sustainable to the life of this planet?
Maddison Johnson
Durango
