Dear Editor:
I was pleased to see, "Global warming dials up our risks," based on the release of the most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (March 31, page A6). The report makes me hopeful that citizens will become more vocal in letting Congress know they support climate action.
The fact that the report had to pass approval from more than 100 governments prior to its release makes it extremely conservative, not something created by an extreme group of warming alarmists. I fully expect that we'll have those who write here that they know of scientists here or yonder who are skeptical of the report, but I'm far more concerned about two other groups in our communities - and admit I've been a member of both.
First are those who read these dire reports and give up hope that humanity can respond. Especially when instead of reading about solutions they read the wacky comments by skeptics howling about what we call it, that it actually cooled between two cherry-picked dates, or that it is a socialist's conspiracy to take away American freedom. Second are people who simply trust that if this is all real, someone will do something.
I suggest we all read The Lorax by Dr. Suess, and memorize the line: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
The report released this week is horribly dire, and fossil-fuel special interests will work against policies we need to reduce our risks, but I believe Congress will act if we let them know we care "a whole awful lot!"
America's history shows we are capable of achieving great things when faced with threats and challenges. We stopped global tyranny during World War II. We landed on the moon. These events firmly established the U.S. as the world's leader.
It is time to let Blaine Luetkemeyer, Vicky Hartzler, Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill all know we are concerned about climate change and ready for Congress to act. The best solution is a carbon fee that returns all the revenue to the people. It's a free-market solution embraced by both conservatives and progressives.
Addressing climate change now shouldn't be seen as something to fear, but as an opportunity to come together and once again show the world that the U.S. can still lead. We need that.