Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Don’t ignore environmental warnings

Before the recession, some said selling mortgages to unqualified buyers would lead to terrible consequences. Their voices were ignored; it was more comfortable to believe that our economy was too big to fail.

American business assured us there was nothing to be concerned about. And once the warning proved true, there were still those who pointed fingers at specific people or institutions. Meanwhile, people have lost their homes and so many of us have seen our home values fall dramatically.

An issue that parallels the failing economy is the environment. Again, when an expert brings up scientific facts, the reaction includes those who question the validity of the findings and those who think bringing up environmental concerns is the same as blaming people or big business for polluting the earth.

I even hear unscientific arguments that a cold winter is proof we are not experiencing global warming. Our earth has a perfect balance of absorbing heat from the sun on the darker surfaces and reflecting heat on the lighter surfaces of our globe.

But what if we find the polar ice cap, for instance, is diminishing? Isn’t it obvious this will result in less heat reflected and more heat absorbed? And what does a warming ocean mean?

Evidence shows the population of aquatic life is dropping at a rapid rate. Warmer oceans will result in fewer aquatic species, which ultimately affects the global food chain, including man.

Rather than ignore threats to our environment, as we ignored warnings of threats to the economy, it would be prudent for us to stop pointing fingers and accept that we are better people when we seek the truth. Do we have to wait until chaos arrives, or are there intelligent steps man can make to slow the impending dangers?

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