William J. Rhodes: Irrefutable climate change

Regarding the Aug. 9 letter “A left-wing grab”: The writer’s conclusion that we must not regulate carbon dioxide because it is necessary for life is laughable. Water is necessary for life, but too much can kill you!

The writer does not recognize that good things fail to be good if they are in excess. He indicated that the term “global warming” was changed because it was not happening. To the contrary, the newer term, “climate change,” was adopted to more accurately convey the broader effect of the warming planet.

Although the writer might be correct about some scientists faking the data, this would be a very limited number of scientists and ignores the overwhelming majority who are accurately communicating the information.

Not only are his comments on fewer weather events incorrect, these events are becoming more severe (note: Boston snow, California drought, Midwest rain). Naysayers can usually cherry-pick information (some time periods or some locations) in order to make their points.

When the totality of information is considered, human-induced climate change is irrefutable. Based on the facts, we are wasting too much effort on debating climate change. This wasted effort should be channeled into figuring out solutions to this growing crisis.

This story was originally published August 24, 2015 at 5:28 PM with the headline "William J. Rhodes: Irrefutable climate change."