U.S. should lead by example on climate change efforts

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, November 8, 2022

A recent letter to the editor caught my attention. The author was discussing issues for voters. He mentioned inflation, surely an important issue, though a worldwide problem. He also mentioned another worldwide problem, climate change, and said that policymakers should recognize that developing countries are not going to ban fossil fuels, but instead are building coal-fired power plants, implying that there was no reason for the U.S. to make changes to decrease emissions when not every other country is doing the same.

We can’t let practices of other countries stop us from doing what is right. I have always taken pride in the U.S. as a world leader and believe that we should be a role model for what is possible and beneficial, and take major steps to decrease carbon emissions. Why would we take our cues from countries that are taking counter-productive actions?

We are unfortunately already seeing the effects of climate change, with frequent heat waves and smoky skies from fires intensified by warming temperatures. These problems will only get worse if we don’t take steps to change to a clean energy future. The recent U.N. report made it clear that immediate action to lower emissions is necessary to head off climate disaster.

I totally agree with the letter writer that we need to make the best decisions for future generations. And if we want our children and grandchildren to thrive in a livable world, the U.S. needs to step up, take leadership, and be a role model for other countries to follow.

Nancy Vandenberg

Snohomish