Letter: U.S. needs to act on global warming

Monday, Dec. 14, 1998 | 10 a.m.

The United States is the world's leading producer of greenhouse gases. We emit 25 percent of the world's greenhouse gas pollution -- with only 4 percent of the population. Power plants and automobiles produce one third of our emissions of carbon dioxide -- the leading greenhouse gas. Yet thanks to intense lobbying by the electric utility industry and auto-manufacturers, there are no regulations restricting carbon dioxide emissions from these sources.

Automobile and power plant pollution is responsible for many environmental and health problems including acid rain, lung disease, asthma, and smog. By cutting global warming pollution from these sources, we simultaneously address many other environmental and health threats.

There is a power plant issue that lies in our back yard. There is a proposal to build a coal-fired power plant just south of Las Vegas, in the middle of Boulder City's conservation easement. The electric power is destined not for us in Las Vegas but for Southern California. You can voice your concerns to the Boulder City commissioners.

If we are going to curb global warming, we need to take active steps to cut greenhouse gases that pollute from power plants and automobiles, and we need to do it now.

Mary Jane Feldman

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