First Name | Ronald |
---|---|
Last Name | Cohen, PhD |
Email Address | rcohen1308@sbcglobal.net |
Affiliation | |
Subject | We Must Take Steps Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Now |
Comment | To Whom It May Concern: The world-wide "greenhouse effect" caused by man's emission of CO2, CH4 and other well known "greenhouse gases" is of immediate and vital concern to national security, public health and ultimately, survival of our civilization. This story is well known in all its details and time scales, and scientifically validated. This is not a linear problem: once we cross some thresholds, they take millennia to be “re-crossed.” We in CA must very significantly reduce our emission of greenhouse gases in the near and far terms, and one near-term way is to reduce/prohibit the use of "high carbon fuels" such as coal, heavy oil fractions, tar sands and other "reduced" forms of fossil fuels as sources of energy throughout, including in "power generating plants." To accomplish that, we need a strong reduction in the use of fossil fuels, and, of course, we need to support the development and evolution of non-fossil sources of energy at the scales needed to support the public's needs. These "green" power sources include solar, bird-safe wind, tidal and nuclear power, and advanced batteries for mobile applications. If we don’t take the lead in reduction and ultimate elimination of the use of fossil fuels, the cost of replacing our great coastal cities, inland agricultural, forestry and animal food production areas (note that most of the farming areas are within a few feet of sea level), changing our very expectations from all conventional sources of food from the land and the sea (already in danger from acidification from increased CO2 burden), and protecting ourselves and our plant and animal life from tropical diseases and others will far far exceed the immediate costs of moving from a fossil fuel economy to a "renewable" power economy. Please do not bow down to the lobbying of the rich and powerful fossil fuel economy: they will take their profits and invest in survival homes in Switzerland and other mountainous areas, leaving us to drown, die of hunger or disease. Seems extreme? Not if we ignore this problem and follow the lead of the spokesmen of the fossil fuel companies. |
Attachment | |
Original File Name | |
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2011-12-13 13:09:56 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.