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Letter: Individual changes can slow impact

The Columbian
Published: January 20, 2015, 4:00pm

Visible effects of climate change are steadily increasing with unusual weather patterns such as drought, windstorms, melting polar ice, an unprecedented rate of species extinction and ocean acidification.

The climate change discussion is generally presented as a debate for resolving two issues: Is climate change even occurring and if it is, are we a causal agent? These so-called debates include scientists from both sides of these issues. What isn’t mentioned is that the majority of peer-reviewed climate scientists are in the affirmative while only a small percentage disagree. Are these “debates” fair and balanced? Large fossil fuel corporations use their wealth to control the media and assure that the outcome of these “debates” will not have a negative impact on their bottom line. Unfortunately, the consequences of continuing our carbon-based fuel economy will not be our going to bed without supper, but the possible mass extinction of life forms (including ours).

We need to become informed on the issues and join with others to change our carbon-based energy economy to one based on renewable energy. On the personal front, we can make small changes — buy smaller houses, add solar panels, replace lawns with native plantings, start a garden, drive less, get a bike, meet your neighbors (who of us knows our neighbors three houses away?), shop locally. We can act now or … go to bed without supper.

Bill Barkley

Hazel Dell

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