Time to rise up

Developing renewable energy as an alternative to spewing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is not a matter for compromise, delay or half-way measures. It’s imperative that our country move now with a full-court press.

The National Academy of Science and 97% of the world’s climatologists tell us in no uncertain terms that the planet is headed toward catastrophic levels of warming. Unless we start attacking the problem boldly and quickly, the World Bank predicts a 7.2 Fahrenheit warmer world by this century’s end, with zero assurance that we can adapt to those temperatures.

Of course, coal, oil and gas corporations make every effort to confuse the public regarding the facts of their industries’ contributions to global warming. Their boards of directors are determined to make $trillions now with no concern for tomorrow.

Governor Inslee, President Obama and even Pope Francis cite global warming as the over-riding issue of this generation. Let’s rise to support their courageous stand in every way we can. It is our generation that must act, and we must act now. Yes, our way of life will change, but what a small price to pay when the very lives of our children and grandchildren are at stake.

This story was originally published August 21, 2015 at 10:47 AM with the headline "Time to rise up."