Letter: Protecting the climate is what everyone needs
Affordability is huge, and the climate offers solutions. Weather is cyclical, but we have been on a steady decline in the West for at least the last 20 years as temperatures have continued to rise, rivers and lakes dwindled, and in many cases, air pollution has gotten worse. As the Colorado River declines, areas are scrambling to supply water for crops. Fires require water, increase pollution, and raise homeowner’s insurance prices. If Lake Powell gets so low that Glen Canyon Damn cannot operate, we will scramble for water supplies- often with higher prices. Health care costs continue to rise, whereas high pollution levels are linked to more hospital visits and negative health consequences. We pay for all of this.
The government could alleviate a lot of this and save money by preventing disasters rather than reacting to them. Trees and land are also cost effective. Both sequester carbon- one of the biggest drivers of warming. Public lands protect species, watersheds , air quality and allow us a tranquil place to “get away”, with positive health effects. They also earn more than a trillion dollars annually.
Instead of supporting public lands, Trump is cutting them- Bears Ears and Grand Staircase the latest, among many. He is opening public lands to drilling and extractive industries, (increasing warming), and withdrawing contracts for wind power. In Boulder, Nevada, he has switched land designated for a solar farm to a data center, saying that the effect is similar. Republicans have said little to stop him.
If Republicans truly cared about the economy and the lives of Americans, they would protect public lands. Voting accordingly is the best thing you can do for affordability (and your health!).
Patty Becnel
Ogden