This is an example of a timely Letter to the Editor. It’s 250 words, typical of the length limits of local papers. References are included–some editors appreciate references, especially for a subject like climate change, that is rife with disinformation.
Vote for a Livable Climate
If we don’t fix climate change, nothing else will matter. Our droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and other climate effects have intensified even faster than scientists predicted. Climate change deniers appear increasingly clueless.
Deniers have retreated to “the climate has always been naturally changing, and humans aren’t causing it.” But in court, Chevron and other oil companies recently agreed with the scientists—that burning of fossil fuels causes major, damaging climate change. People using their products are to blame, not oil companies…
Now we hear that clean-energy alternatives are unaffordable. But building a new wind or solar farm is often cheaper than operating an existing coal plant. Electric vehicles are far cheaper to fuel and maintain, and the price of several models is now less than the average new car. Clean energy keeps getting cheaper.
Thus we know the problem and we know how to fix it, but there’s insufficient political will to do anything. We need aggressive policies that quickly ramp up clean electricity and transportation.
Until 2009, both parties recognized climate change as a serious problem. Then dark money flooded in and Republicans suddenly lost all motivation to address climate change. The apparent business case is obvious—half a billion to rent Congress biannually is an easy investment to maintain trillions in fossil fuel revenues. This scale of corruption is perfectly legal in our system.
Almost no Republican candidates advocate climate-friendly policies. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, consider who you vote for.
[your name and town]
References:
If we don’t fix climate change, nothing else will matter. Our droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and other climate effects have intensified even faster than scientists predicted.
Climate change deniers appear increasingly clueless.
Merchants of Doubt book and documentary
Deniers have retreated to “the climate has always been naturally changing, and humans aren’t causing it.” But in court, Chevron and other oil companies recently agreed with the scientists—that burning of fossil fuels causes major, damaging climate change. People using their products are to blame, not oil companies…
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/People-cause-climate-change-but-don-t-blame-12771823.php
Now we hear that clean-energy alternatives are unaffordable. But building a new wind or solar farm is often cheaper than operating an existing coal plant.
https://www.lazard.com/perspective/levelized-cost-of-energy-2017/
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Wind-Energy-Is-Getting-Cheaper-And-Cheaper.html
Electric vehicles are far cheaper to fuel and maintain, and the price of several models is now less than the average new car. Clean energy keeps getting cheaper.
https://cleantechnica.com/2018/07/24/cost-comparison-of-evs-and-gas-cars/
https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/electric-vehicles/life-cycle-ev-emissions#.W84BVy-ZOgQ
Thus we know the problem and we know how to fix it, but there’s insufficient political will to do anything. We need aggressive policies that quickly ramp up clean electricity and transportation.
Until 2009, both parties recognized climate change as a serious problem.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/03/us/politics/republican-leaders-climate-change.html
Then dark money flooded in and Republicans suddenly lost all motivation to address climate change. The apparent business case is obvious—half a billion to rent Congress biannually is an easy investment to maintain trillions in fossil fuel revenues. This scale of corruption is perfectly legal in our system.
Dark Money by Jane Mayer
Democracy in Chains by Nancy MacClean
Almost no Republican candidates advocate climate-friendly policies.