Letter to the editor:

Fast action on climate could backfire on us

Tom Keller, Henderson

Friday, July 3, 2009 | 2:01 a.m.

Thomas Friedman’s column in Thursday’s Las Vegas Sun, “Despite flaws, energy bill a must,” misses the point entirely. The specifics of how to reduce fossil fuel consumption are not the issue.

There is no argument that increased temperatures are melting glaciers. But no credible science has been applied to prove it is caused by carbon dioxide instead of natural climate change. The real issue is whether reducing CO2 production will make any difference in global warming.

The knee-jerk reaction to hurry and do something, even if it guts our economy, will be a huge mistake if it turns out to be wrong. For once, we need to step back and give science a chance to overcome the hysteria.

Discussion: 2 comments so far…

By uddeboda

7/3/09 at 3:50 a.m.

Suggest removal

Come on TOM,

The year is 2009, and for the past 50+ years the world has known about the consequences of climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions. If you are only 10 years old, then you are excused. However, like you say, incresing temperatures are causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt. The average global temperature increase over the past 50 years is "only" 0.7degs C, but in bygone times, 100s of thousands of years ago, such a temperature increase would have taken a few 1000 years, now, it would appear that we just cant wait until the planet is in very serious trouble.
You state that there is no credible science that shows it is CO2 or natural climate change. Like I said, a natural climate change takes 1000s and 1000s of years for any change to occur.

Your final comment, the typical American idea of "Wait and see", is no longer acceptable, you have been waiting and waiting, waiting and hoping that it will go away, so the USA can continue on its merry way burning fossil fuels, and still the biggest polluter per capita in the world BY FAR.

The American economy is already gutted to a tune of more than $58 trillion.

NO, its time for the USA to wake up from its Dreamland or Disneyland, whichever.
By WillieTanner

7/3/09 at 7:08 a.m.

Suggest removal

Let the economy rebound by embracing green technology. We won't stop burning fossil fuels tomorrow so what could be bad about lowering carbon emissions. Sell your Exxon stock and invest in solar panels or storage batteries.

Breathless in Las Vegas