Letter to the editor: Push for alternative energy
Gary Brown’s May 16 article ("Getting historical perspective on climate change") in the Canton Repository on historical views of weather patterns and climate change was interesting, but left the impression that the understanding of current scientists regarding climate is comparable to the theories of the 1870s.
Two hundred years ago, we were unable to predict tomorrow’s weather with any accuracy. Today, powerful and sophisticated scientific instruments like radar, satellite imagery and computer analysis predict the arrival of hurricanes and tornadoes with precision. Current extreme weather patterns, like severe droughts, torrential rain and more frequent and severe hurricanes, have provoked intense and careful analysis.
Climate scientists overwhelmingly support the view that today’s unusual weather patterns are due to increased greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere, a consequence of burning fossil fuels.
If we continue adding more greenhouse gases, climate scientists predict that the weather patterns we have relied on over the last 5,000 years to grow crops and raise animals in a specific area will drastically change, leading to dramatic changes in how and where we can live on Earth, resulting in massive human migration, financial loss and misery.
Ignore the science today and future generations will be unable to enjoy life on Earth as we currently do. We need to rapidly reduce the burning of fossil fuels for energy. Urge your representatives in Congress to support alternative energy sources and place reasonable fees on industries that add more carbon to our atmosphere.
Marcie Groesbeck, Plain Township
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Letter to the editor: Push for alternative energy
