March 28, 2024
Letters to the Editor | Sauk Valley News


Letters to the Editor

Climate Reality Project points the way to renewable energy

Everyone can act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

This summer I attended “The Climate Reality Project” in Houston with a friend and colleague. During 3 days of intense presentations, we received training in the reality of, the consequences of, and the solutions to the most important issue of our time – climate change.

The basic science is relatively simple. Because of man’s activity, mostly due to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, which is adding greatly to the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, global temperatures are rising. 2015 and 2016 were the warmest years on record.

The consequence of this phenomenon includes more intense storms, as we have seen in Louisiana and other areas this past summer, more flooding and droughts, the rise in sea levels due to the melting of ice caps and glaciers, and more serious effects on the oceans, sea life and other species.

Time and space prohibit me giving concrete examples, but they are countless. These serious events are happening now.

Up until recently, this reality has led to much despair and inaction. But, “despair is not just another tire in the trunk – despair is another form of denial,” as Al Gore was quoted at the conference.

We cannot afford to be despondent. We must act now. And the good news is that much is already being done to solve the climate crisis.

Green energy sources such as wind and solar are exploding on the scene in all parts of the world, and the prices of these sources are falling and are now quite competitive with traditional sources of power in many areas.

Electric cars and their lithium batteries are being improved upon each year.

Globally, wind could supply worldwide electricity consumption 40 times over.

Also, green energy jobs are increasing rapidly. Solar industry jobs now outnumber coal mining jobs in the U.S.

We are experiencing a revolution in renewable energy sources. Much more needs to be done, but we are on our way.

Politically, in 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed by virtually every country in the world to work together to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. This is only a beginning, but many countries – including China and India – are actually doing more than the U.S. to move toward renewables.

We cannot allow the next administration in Washington to deny science, deny climate change, and opt us out of this agreement. This would be a tragedy for us and for all future generations.

Get involved, write letters, become a climate change activist, and make appropriate changes in your own lives. I have pledged myself to using less plastic, investigating the possibility of solar power for my town home, choosing energy efficient cars, etc.

If you want more information, please go the “Climate Reality Project” website. Also, I am available to give presentations to your school, civic and other organizations.

How will we look the younger generation in the face if we fail to do all we can to stop and reverse catastrophic climate change?

Note to readers: Elroy Wylde taught social studies at Sterling High School for 36 years and then oversaw the service learning program there for 8 years.