Letter: We need leaders who take climate change seriously

A recent letter recommended that voters look beyond the individual candidate’s personality and focus on their party, and what the party stands for. I agree in principle with this position, but voters need to take a long-term view of these positions. If the United States ceases to exist as we know it, issues such as taxes, gun rights and abortion won’t matter very much.

While the majority of countries that share this earth have signed on to the Paris Accord to limit greenhouse emissions which contribute to global warming, one major political party in the U.S. is in total denial about human-caused climate change. The vast majority of Republicans have stuck their head in the sand. I don’t know whether it is because of the support they receive from the coal, oil and gas companies, or if they oppose it just because the Democrats support it. These Republicans point to the very few climate scientists who are climate change deniers. Never mind that well over 9 in 10 climate scientists, and almost every country on earth, understand the need to reduce greenhouse gasses and minimize global warming.

So if you want your kids and grandkids to have the luxury of debating taxes, regulations and issues of their day, please vote for candidates who believe in science and support efforts to reduce climate change.

Eric Selby

Lake Stevens