Letters: Gas guzzlers aren't helping. 'We must be willing ... to live responsibly'
Support for Ukraine 'ratchets up'
Making separate but similar points this last week, both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have voted for increased support toward ending Russia's aggression abroad, underlining that this task also meets America's purposes on our home front.
More: Biden signs $40B Ukraine aid bill; Zelenskyy says only 'diplomacy' can end war: May 21 recap
In the U.S. Senate and House (including near 3/4 of Republicans), strong majorities ratcheted up U.S. support for Ukraine's military battle, especially after the Senate Republican leadership — from all parts of the U.S. — urged strengthening uncertain early moves by the administration to confront Russia's continued assault on Ukraine.
With the leadership's decisive on-site visit to the battleground, the clear Republican message focused on upholding our Western values and enhancing NATO.
This continues the well-regarded Ohio tradition of recent Senate decades, from Bob Taft Sr. to John Glenn, George Voinovich, and the current work of Sen. Rob Portman.
More: US aid to Ukraine could hit $53B. Here's what it covers, how it compares and who pays for it
Our system benefits from open exchanges, as reflected by the array of Republicans asserting that the U.S. not be retreating into an isolationist role. Too, it helps remind there should be no separation by "in name only" commentators when Americans are projecting the preeminent tenets of freedom long held in the USA.
Merom Brachman, Columbus
Climate change solution is up to us
As Steve Rissing noted in his May 18 column, "Biology: Climate change misinformation affects things, including us," partisan conflicts and misinformation are obstructing strong government action on climate change.
However, if we put aside the political talk and look at the realities of daily life, we'll see that Ohioans, regardless of party affiliation, aren't doing much to reduce the pollution that drives man-made climate change.
More: How drivers can reduce fuel emissions
As summer temperatures arrive with air quality advisories, Ohio has no shortage of gas-guzzling riding lawn mowers or gas-powered leaf blowers, polluting the air with foul exhaust and obnoxious noise. Or cars idling in supermarket parking lots for a half-hour or more.
Or houses, with front and back yards and even windows illuminated at night as if it's Christmastime. Or fossil fuel-dependent delivery trucks dropping off boxes full of plastic and other climate change-implicated materials. I doubt that all of this is done by Republicans or conservatives.
Calling for the massive construction of solar and wind farms is not an answer to climate change. We must be willing, not to make sacrifices, but to live responsibly.
If that's too much to ask, then climate change won't be solved.
Kevin Johns, Cleveland
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Clean Energy Columbus disclosed rates
In response to the May 19 Dispatch.com column, "Your electric bill could skyrocket soon. City, AEP Energy must come clean," the Clean Energy Columbus program disclosed its rate for the second year of the program on May 17, two days before the opinion ran. (The rate can be found at cleanenergycolumbus.org/rate). It’s a competitive rate for the Midwest’s largest clean energy program.
More: Electricity in Ohio will cost more this summer. Here's how it could affect your bill
The Clean Energy Columbus program remains committed to providing timely, accurate information to residents to empower them to make the best decision for their family. To find out more information on the 100% clean energy program contact AEP Energy at 1-888-307-0264.
Erin Beck, assistant sustainability officer, City of Columbus
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Living more responsibly will help solve climate change
