Is it shift in politics of climate change?
A little noticed but important shift took place in September. Eleven Republicans, led by Rep. Chris Gibson of New York, submitted a House resolution calling for Congress to act on climate change.
Polls show a majority of even conservative Republicans now favor growing clean energy “so that America can lead on addressing global environmental issues.” But they want to do so without expanding government and regulations.
A gradually increasing revenue-neutral carbon tax could fill the bill. It is much cheaper to implement than regulations. An independent study confirms that if proceeds are returned to the public, it will actually improve the economy; creating 2.8 million jobs. And if we do nothing? Citigroup predicts the cost of inaction will be $44 trillion.
The Gibson resolution could be the tipping point that snowballs into action on climate change. Please urge your representatives to join him.
Dr. Cynthia Mahoney
Danville
Universal checks for guns clearly needed
We would be nave to think that we could prevent all mass shootings. But if only one could be prevented, that would be a step in the right direction. Universal background checks could be that step.
Why should a person be able to walk into a gun shop or gun show and buy as many guns as his or her bank account will allow; and unless paid for by credit card, they don’t even have to give their name.
The argument that guns don’t kill people, people kill people, is proof that background checks are needed.
I also feel that a private citizen doesn’t need an assault-type weapon or the extended-round clips. One fellow told me if he chose to hunt with 100-round clips, he should be able to. My answer was that if he needed 100 rounds to bring down a deer, he should switch to beef.
After every shooting we hear, “Now is not the time to talk about gun control, let the families grieve the loss of their loved ones.” When will the time be here?
Johnny Strawther
Antioch
Clean energy choice is a winner strategy
Two weeks ago, when the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pursue a study on Community Choice energy (also known as Community Choice Aggregation, or CCA), I was proud to state that my city, San Pablo, has already chosen to allow our residents and businesses to receive 50 percent or more renewable clean energy over dirty energy.
It’s rewarding to know that I am lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Also, a portion of my utility bill contributes to the cost of building a 10.5-megawatt solar farm in Richmond. It will be built on a brownfield site by local union workers.
This is a win-win proposition — providing more local green jobs as well as clean air and healthier residents.
I hope the folks in Contra Costa County will tell their leaders to support Community Choice energy so our supervisors can proceed without delay.
Lynette Robinson
San Pablo
Evidence is complex on when life began
In a recent edition of this paper, there was a very interesting science article that says evidence has been found in Australia that life existed as early as 4.1 billion years ago — 300 million years earlier than previously thought.
Before that time, it was not possible for life to exist on Earth, because the early Earth was molten and bombarded by comets and meteorites. As soon as it was possible for life to exist on the planet, abundant complex life appeared on Earth, in the absence of any evidence for a prebiotic or primordial soup.
The sudden, early appearance of complex life is strong evidence that life was created by a Creator, rather than life originating from non-life (abiogenesis) by gradual evolution over time.
James Kral
Concord
