An overwhelming majority of climate scientists (97 percent) agree that the climate is warming. This change is man-made and it is brought on by greenhouse gas emissions. As we look forward to the rest of our lives and the lives of future generations, we need to realize that our actions have serious implications.
The renewable energy sector has made huge progress in the past few years developing clean and cost-effective technologies. According to a recent Lazard study of the cost of energy today, solar and wind energies are cheaper than energy from fossil fuels when compared without subsidies. Clean energies also create high-paying, local and sustainable jobs. The 2017 U.S. Energy and Employment Report states that there are at least five times more jobs in renewables than in the fossil fuel industry right now! Furthermore, when considering the externalities imposed on human and environmental health, I have little doubt that renewable energy is the only acceptable choice.
That all said, there is still much need for further development of clean energy technology, and we may not be quite ready to derive 100 percent of our energy from the wind or sun. However, we can certainly be doing better by taking steps in the right direction.
This is why I support this year’s progressive candidates for the LPEA Board of Directors: Guinn Unger (District 4), Rachel Landis (District 3) and Kim Martin (District 2). I know that, if elected, these three will strongly advocate for a cleaner and more renewable La Plata County.
David Golden
Durango
