An Open Letter to My Elected Officials

Dear Representative Nadler and Senators Gillibrand and Schumer,

As I know that you have all been effective leaders and elected officials, I want to encourage at least one of you, if not all of you to take up the banner of climate change legislation. This nation lacks a clear energy policy that looks forward. I am positive that all of you have a clear idea that America needs an energy policy that puts its stock in clean, renewable resources and strives to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions. So, instead of waiting for someone else in your great body to take up the task, I am asking that you come forward with your position to the floor and introduce a bill that does exactly this.

The fact of the matter is, we are at a very critical juncture in our ability to stop – or in the very least mitigate – human-caused global warming. Time and time again, the science has been proven, most recently by the Berkley Earth Surface Temperature project. Global warming and subsequent climate change is happening and it is due to human activities. For decades, scientists, politicians, and activists have been trying to get this country to lead the way in developing solutions to the problem. So far, however, we have only continued pumping and consuming massive amounts of fossil fuels, and only given little recognition to cleaner energy sources. While we have done this, many other nations have surpassed us in moving toward clean, renewable energy. America has been left behind.

I know it is not only America that is contributing to global warming. All of the world’s nations are. However, America continues to be a lead consumer of fossil fuel products and a lead emitter of greenhouse gases. Because we continue to not make strides in improving our emissions and energy solutions, many other countries think they don’t have to either. If they see us take the necessary steps (and yes, risks) toward clean energy and highly regulated emissions, it is very likely that they will then follow along the same course.

The time to act is now, not tomorrow. Not after the election cycle. Not when there is less to do on our plate. The International Energy Agency has determined than unless the nations significantly improve their emissions standards and take leaps away from the fossil fuel industry as an energy source within five years, we will face certain and dangerous climate change. So far this year, our nation has endured 14 “Billion-Dollar” natural disasters, all of which can be attributed to a changing and unstable climate. Imagine that number going up every year.

Not only is an energy policy that focuses on clean alternatives better for the environment, it is much better on our wallets. Our nation will go broke if we continue to experience these expensive natural disasters. Cities and towns that are threatened already by rising sea levels will continue to feel the economic and financial pinch to the breaking point. As such, the changing climate and economics will also change the landscape of this nation and how it is represented. Indeed, the whole world faces this issue. More and more, if we do nothing, if we just tempt fate and see if dangerous climate change will happen, the world faces dangerous political upheaval as well. Yes, taking action now will also save you and others the political turmoil which is guaranteed to happen due to a dangerously unstable climate.

I know that economics are a lot more complex than I can ever imagine. I know we must do this in a smart and prudent way. I, myself, am feeling the effects of an anemic economy. However, we cannot ignore the bigger picture which points to the fact that if we do nothing, or if we don’t do enough, the economy will only get a lot worse. It is in our national interest to do this. Please, devise a bill that develops a clear energy policy that is heavily reliant on clean energy alternatives and brings tougher regulation on emissions. Let the bill be forward thinking and provide a good transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy. Then introduce the bill and get it voted on. If it doesn’t pass the committee, those of us concerned with a clean energy policy can then use the power of the vote to get leaders in our legislature who will be for a well-defined clean energy policy. The same goes for a vote before the body of the different legislative houses. It is imperative for ourselves and our future generations that we fight for this to the very end.

I thank you for your service to the people of New York. I thank you for your service to the people of this great nation. I realize that you have other tasks and policies that you work on. However, I am asking you to see the seriousness of the situation and to see that the chance to do this is now. Be a leader in this cause and don’t give up when it gets hard. I look forward to seeing you all bringing an energy bill to the floor.

Your fellow citizen,

Richard Walton