Thank you, Durango Herald, for your March 13 opinion article, “
Because of the coronavirus outbreak, climate change has taken a temporary backseat as a threat to society.
The river loses nearly 10% of its annual flow for every increase in temperature of 1 degree Celsius. Water shortages affect every aspect of the entire seven-state Colorado River Basin, from public health to electrical generation to agriculture. Water is key to the foundation of life.
Author Gary Wockner stated, “no politician has a plan to save the diminishing Colorado River.” While that is true, the good news is that many politicians are taking steps to address the larger threat: climate change.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, there are 80 bipartisan cosponsors of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, including Colorado Reps. Joe Neguse, Jason Crow and Ed Perlmutter. It will drive down America’s carbon pollution and bring climate change under control, while unleashing American technology, innovation and ingenuity.
Using free-market principles, we can leave a healthier, stable and prosperous American nation for future generations.
The coronavirus has taught us to act now or pay later. The same message applies to climate change.
Susan AtkinsonDurango
