The appointment of a climate change denier, Scott Pruitt, to head the EPA has led to giddiness from those ignoring empirical science. Both John Yocom and James Barrie Sellers extolled the change in recent Forum letters. Sellers, in particular, reveled in his contrary positions. He conjures up a world benefiting from the impending warming and scientists “fiddling” with the data.
Here on Earth, the picture is far less optimistic. No, we will not have the climate of Springfield, Mass. More likely, our climate will look like Columbia, S.C. He touts the fertilizing effect of increased CO2, but forgets that plants also need reliable and regular rain, not the weather extremes that are becoming increasingly common. He believes that scientists have been convicted of fiddling with the data — also incorrect.
Sellers ignores the delicate balance that is our Earth’s climate system. The seemingly small increase (.8 degrees C.) that we have already experienced has already begun to exert its effects. Arctic sea ice is crashing and will likely be gone in the summer by 2030. Land ice on Greenland and parts of the Antarctic ice sheet are also showing instability with the potential for large areas fragmenting into the sea. The resulting sea level rise will be catastrophic for coastal areas.
As we continue to warm, large areas of farmland will become increasingly unproductive because of summer heat and extreme weather. The CO2 absorbed into the oceans will change the pH in ways that will threaten food supplies. But for some, this is all just the result of a vast conspiracy of crony scientists cranking out worthless studies to keep the “gravy train” rolling.
Who cares? We do! While the Trump administration moves away from reality, the burden shifts to the local level. For those who live in Hanover, you will have an opportunity to counter Donald Trump’s nonsense. On the ballot for the May 9 Town Meeting is an article to commit the town to move to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. Counter the negative message with a positive one and engage, organize and vote to move us in the right direction.
Michael Hillinger
Etna
I was shocked at a column on Sunday (“Campuses Grow Uneasy, and That’s a Good Thing.”) An attack on civil conversation was awful. Political correctness has run amok! There is no excuse for violence, for pepper spray, for wanton destruction.
As one of the “deplorables,’’ I was able to recall an incident in my college years as an example of how discussion should proceed. In a government class our professor started by telling us he was a socialist. We spent the semester discussing (occasionally arguing). The professor treated us with respect and gave countering arguments. We didn’t change his mind, but we certainly tried. But there was no violence and everyone had a chance to speak.
It is dismaying to me that Berkeley and Middlebury are in such a state of anarchy that you are not allowed to speak. To say nothing of injuring a professor.
Heated discussion is fine, but hate and violence?
Janet Connolly
Meriden
Can you imagine someone so cheap and cruel who would cut Meals on Wheels funding, and support huge tax breaks for the millionaires and billionaires?
The Republicans in the House and Senate don’t have the backbone to stand up to President Trump.
I didn’t vote for him; the Russians and the Electoral College helped him. My vote did not count. Like Sen. Bernie Sanders said, the system is rigged. Sad. Corruption at its highest.
Robert Pollard
Enfield
I’m eager to read the reports of the Racial Justice Board proposed for Vermont The proposed committee is to include such distinguished members as “communities of color,” “players in the criminal court system” and the American Civil Liberties Union. I wonder what their findings will be?
Let me suggest a second committee. We can call it the Anti-Race Baiting and Criminal Protection Board. This committee could be staffed by leaders of the Vermont Prison Guards Union, embittered victim’s rights advocates and members of the Breitbart editorial staff. Perhaps ex-sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona would be available as well. I hear he’s looking for work.
No need to worry that these committees (all financed by the taxpayer) might be influenced by their predetermined political agendas or direct financial stake in their recommendations. I’m sure both would serve our state in an objective and honest fashion.
Mark Anderson
Norwich
High school lacrosse is just around the corner, and I wanted to send a letter with that in mind.
First, on behalf of the Hanover Lions Club, I would like to thank all who helped out with the 2016 Hanover Lions’ “Byrne Cup” Twin State All-Star Games, held June 25 last year at Hanover High School, where the outstanding graduating senior boys and girls lacrosse players from Vermont and New Hampshire squared off against each other — it was the 24th annual boys game, and the 21st for the girls.
Special thanks and acknowledgment go to the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, which is a significant contributor, but also to our other sponsors from the Upper Valley business community; the volunteer helpers, many from the Hanover sports community; Mike Jackson, Hanover High School athletic director; and SAU 70.
Second, I’d like to let all know the 2017 games will be held on Saturday, June 24, again at Hanover High School. This will be the 25th year of the event. We are proud to honor the athletes with an event that culminates their high school lacrosse careers.
At the same time, the event serves as one of our important charity fundraising events of the year. All net proceeds are returned to the Hanover-area community in our charitable giving efforts, supporting many different individuals, groups, organizations, causes and community needs, including the Lions’ traditional mission of providing help to those who cannot afford it for sight and hearing needs. Admission to the games is free, but donations will be accepted.
William H. Johnson
Hanover
We can all breathe a little easier since David Spence’s op-ed (“Founders Might Well Have Approved of the ‘Deep State’,” March 18) reassures us that in our republic, “public preferences get translated into policy through lawmaking, not simply through elections.” If a president is unhappy with an agency’s mission, he says, the appropriate remedy is “to redefine that mission through legislation.”
I say, “Bravo!” I was afraid that our current president might take the stance that if Congress wouldn’t act as he wished, he had a pen and he had a phone. Heaven forbid that a president would ever make such an undemocratic assertion.
Andrew Terhune
Canaan
I am deeply appreciative of the support I received and for the opportunity to serve as a School Board member in Sunapee.
I ran to contribute my skills in learning and leadership development, communication, trust building and prior experience on a school board in Vermont, to the conversations about our schools. I look forward to getting started.
Jesse Tyler
Sunapee