Warming, seriously

A few weeks ago a friend told me to put my environmental issues in my back pocket because the economy is in bad shape and I am hurting his business. For over 40 years, despite strong evidence from climate scientists about human-caused climate change, many Americans remain skeptical. Recent op-ed articles in The N&O from Richard Muller, Alan Leshner and William Chameides confirm the science demonstrating a warming world. These scientists have made it clear that with more CO pollution in the atmosphere, we are placing all life on this planet at further risk.

Now is not the time to suppress environmental issues, but for all of us to acknowledge that business-as-usual can only provide a short-term fix and lead ultimately to insurmountable costs and suffering. We need to develop a healthier economic future through energy efficiency, clean renewable energy and conservation. In this election cycle, voters need to demand that candidates present clear plans and policies on how they intend to solve our environmental crisis, so that the electorate can make a clear choice on this issue of utmost importance.

Carl W. Sigel, Ph.D.

Chair, Steering Committee

N.C. Interfaith Power & Light

Raleigh