Don Gaede - 8/2/2017 - California leads way in clean energy

California leads way in clean energy

August 02, 2017 2:34 PM

Russell Harland’s letter of July 28, referring to the recent cap-and-trade extension, claimed “California isn’t being a leader. California is being left behind.”

But let’s check the facts. California’s job growth has outpaced that of the national economy for years. Our state has far more clean-energy jobs than there are coal jobs in all of America. Our GDP has risen more than 30 percent in the last 15 years, while our CO2 emissions have declined.

Mr. Harland is correct in implying that climate action limited to California and Australia will not be enough to solve this global problem. The Paris Climate Accord, signed by 195 nations, showed us that virtually the entire world is convinced climate change is a real and present danger. California is perfectly positioned to be at the forefront of new technologies to address that threat.

We have a long-standing reputation for showing the way for our nation and the rest of the world. Fortunately, our reputation remains intact.

Don Gaede

 http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article161869613.html

Ray West - 7/23/2017 - Renewable energy is quantum leap into the future

http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article162980293.html

Renewable energy is quantum leap into the future

Before World War II, there were more people employed making candy in the United States than making airplanes. The war drove the productive capacity of the nation and transformed the aerospace industry into an economic and technical powerhouse, improving the lives of people in previously unimagined ways.

That industry spun off advances in materials, communication, digital processing, space exploration and more.

Whether we are aware of it or not, we are at war again.

I do not mean ISIS or terrorism, grave though those threats are. We are at war with the earth. The planet and the implacable laws of nature are trying to slowly kill us.

We must rally the human resources of our country and world again and and create new industries based on cheap, clean, renewable energy. By doing this, we will both protect our environment and take another quantum leap into the future.

RAY WEST, SPRINGVILLE

July 23, 2017
 

Connie Young - 7/2017 - unpublished - Cap and Trade

I agree with the Bee’s editorial in praise of our governor and legislators for continuing cap and trade. ( http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/editorials/article162494933.html )

However, when it comes to national climate change legislation, I’d recommend that Congress pass carbon fee and dividend legislation such as proposed by Citizens' Climate Lobby. Here’s why: 

A steadily-rising fee on carbon emissions would be more predictable than cap and trade’s fluctuating permit prices. Businesses like predictability. 

Cap and trade is complicated and its pricing is determined behind closed doors. By comparison, carbon fee and dividend would collect predetermined fees from fossil fuel producers and distribute the proceeds equally to U.S. households. Using existing mechanisms for collecting and distributing money would preclude any need for new bureaucracies.

Carbon fee and dividend would enable consumers, rather than regulators, to decide which energy sources they use.

Finally, a border adjustment would level the playing field for U.S. and foreign businesses while encouraging other countries to implement comparable carbon pricing.  

Carbon fee and dividend: predictable, easy to administer, market-based and can be implemented worldwide. What’s not to like?

Connie Young

unpublished, July 2017

Twyla Smith - 7/20/2017 - There is hope for the planet in renewable energy

http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article162574303.html

There is hope for the planet in renewable energy

Renewable energy such as solar power will protect the environment. Kurt Strazdins

Was anyone surprised to learn Fresno is on the verge of breaking its heat record? Sixteen of the 17 warmest years on record have occurred since 2001, with 2016 the warmest year ever recorded..

NASA cites global warming as the main cause of shrinking ice sheets, extreme weather events, decreased snow cover and the warming and acidification of oceans. This last effect is quite visual – 50 percent of the world’s coral reefs are now bleached, leaving seascapes filled with white skeleton-like structures devoid of life and color.

Meanwhile, President Trump has abdicated America’s leadership role in solving the problem by withdrawing from the Paris Accord. He ignores our military leaders, who report extreme weather patterns are aggravating social tensions, destabilizing regions and feeding the rise of extremist groups such ISIS; and that 128 military bases are threatened by rising sea levels… or already flooding.

Truly, the image of Nero fiddling while Rome burns could not be more apt. But there is still hope! While all positive action helps, only a true carbon dividend plan will use our own sense of self-interest to decrease greenhouse emissions, promote renewable energy and reduce health and security issues while growing our economy.

Twyla Smith

Madera

July 20, 2017

Pete Moe - 7/18/2017 - Trump, Nunes dump on climate change, yet – whoops there it is – in defense bill

Trump, Nunes dump on climate change, yet – whoops there it is – in defense bill

July 18, 2017 4:23 PM

The Republican led Congress on Friday passed House Resolution 2810, a massive $696 billion bill to fund the military for 2018. A prominent part of this bill is a section that says global warming is “a direct threat to the national security.”
Military leaders like Secretary of Defense James Mattis have long recognized that climate change is a risk to national security. Many coastal installations are threatened by rising sea levels, while droughts, floods and famines will result in instability and conflict across the planet.
Even in the climate-change-denying Trump administration, Mattis has stood firm, and remains the adult in the room. As a retired 26-year veteran from the Air Force, I am pleased with the military’s recognition of the threat of climate change.
Yesterday, I received an email from my representative, Devin Nunes. In this email, he said, “…environmental extremists continue subjecting us to their absurd doomsday predictions and their preposterous ‘solutions…’” This sort of puerile name-calling serves only to divide us.
To his credit, he voted for this defense bill, which acknowledges the threat from climate change. This is a significant positive step. Although the tide is rising, could it also be turning?

Pete Moe, Clovis

http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article161869613.html

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article161869613.html#storylink=cpy

 

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article161869613.html#storylink=cpy

Cynthia Mahoney & Don Gaede - 7/12/2017 Modesto Bee - Cynthia Mahoney and Don Gaede: Cows are the ‘canaries’ of our Central Valley

In Modesto Bee

Cynthia Mahoney and Don Gaede: Cows are the ‘canaries’ of our Central Valley

ead more here: http://www.modbee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article160961369.html#storylink=cpy

July 12, 2017 11:32 AM

Re “Killer heat struck hard at dairies in South Valley” (Page 1A, June 4): June’s record heat killed over 4,000 dairy cows in California’s Central Valley, prompting a state of emergency. Heat waves are increasing, with 3 of every 4 daily heat extremes attributed to global warming.
Physicians know heat can be deadly for people as well as cows.
Continued “business-as-usual” burning of fossil fuels will cause Central Valley cities like Fresno to go from 10 to 25 days over 100 degrees each year to a vicious average of 72 days of 100-degree days by mid-century.
That kind of heat can cause hundreds of human deaths. Pregnant women, the very young, the elderly and poor, outdoor workers and athletes are especially vulnerable. Physicians are urging action; prevention is the best remedy.
The prescription: carbon pricing to accelerate a rapid transition to clean, renewable energy. That will protect our health and the health of our bovine friends. Please let your representative know you want Congress to fill this prescription.

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article160961369.html#storylink=cpy

http://www.modbee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article160961369.html

Dr. Cynthia Mahoney, Contra Costa; Dr. Don Gaede, Fresno
Medical Society Consortium On Climate & Health

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article160961369.html#storylink=cpy

Bruce Ratcliffe - 7/2017 unpublished - Vanilla?

Vanilla?

     Today’s Reader Challenge: Which headline doesn’t belong?
A)  “Drought pushing toward fifth year”
B)  “Fresno sets record for heat, this time 108 degrees”
C)  “Sierra snowpack expected to be smallest on record”
D”  “California snowpack at drought-busting 173 percent”
E)  “Vanilla bean shortage in Madagascar drives up prices in U.S.”
ANSWER: None of the above.  NASA scientists have predicted that extreme
weather will be an inevitable consequence of rising CO2 levels.  This
prediction was made in detail in the highly respected journal, “Science”
in 1981.  Yes, climate scientists got it right 36 years ago. Since then,
they’ve been filling in the frightening details of human-caused climate
change.
     So what does climate change have to do with the price of vanilla? 
Scientists have long predicted more extreme storms (think:  Katrina,
Sandy, Enawo).  Enawo? This year, cyclone Enawo rendered half a million
people in Madagascar homeless. But who cares about Madagascar? Well,
climate change will cause unexpected, unpleasant consequences
worldwide.  In this case, the vanilla crop was severely damaged, causing
the price of vanilla on the world market to rise 600%.  Top quality
vanilla ice cream in Fresno now sells for $9 a pint.  Global climate
change has global consequences.

Bruce Ratcliffe
Fresno
July 2017

Connie Young - 6/13/2017 - Fresno climate change activists speak to Congress today

Fresno climate change activists speak to Congress today

June 13, 2017 12:25 PM 

A recent New York Times article, “Cracking Washington’s Gridlock to Save the Planet,” provides a wonderful introduction to the work of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL). It includes the story of how volunteers helped to facilitate the creation of the House Climate Solutions Caucus. The article opens with this striking endorsement:
When Congress finally passes major legislation to curb carbon emissions...to reduce the environmental and economic harm caused by climate change. Americans will owe a big thank you to the perseverance and discipline of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
Today, over 900 CCL volunteers (including two from Fresno), will be on Capitol Hill to urge Congress to pass carbon fee and dividend legislation. All who are concerned about global warming can be part of this national effort by contacting their members of Congress and telling them to work together to solve this problem.
This is our democracy. Let’s stand together and respectfully tell Congress what we want ... a stable climate and a healthier, more livable world.

Connie Young, Fresno
http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article155926924.html

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article155926924.html#storylink=cpy

Loren Alving - 6/6/2017 - Trump aside, America will battle climate change

http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article155921899.html

 

Trump aside, America will battle climate change

 

Admiral James Stradvidis said “fighting climate change is the ultimate team sport.” By withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement, President Trump put the world’s strongest player on the bench, leaving the rest of the team alone to take on a very tough opponent: climate change.

While our president may have ceded our leadership role on this team, many Americans are not willing to do so. Fortunately, they have found other ways to level the playing field and continue the fight.

The Bee editorial (online June 1) expertly laid out what California is doing to further the fight on climate change. Other U.S. cities and states have pledged to honor and uphold the commitments in the Paris accord. The House of Representatives now has 40 members in its Climate Solutions Caucus (which purposefully has equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats). In the few days since the announcement, the business community, including oil companies such as Exxon, have pledged to uphold their commitments.

America is not ready to sit on the bench. Even without leadership at the top, the fight will continue from the ground up. As French President Emmanuel Macron has said, “Let’s make our planet great again!”

Loren Alving

June 6, 2017

Don Gaede - 6/5/2017 - Doctors warn Trump about climate change, but he won’t listen

http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article154130069.html

Doctors warn Trump about climate change, but he won’t listen

President Trump is exiting the Paris climate accord AMA – against medical advice. He reminds me of a man who comes to the emergency room with crushing chest pain, is about to be wheeled to the cardiac cath lab for life-saving treatment, but then exclaims, “Hold everything, doc! I just talked to my brother-in-law, and he says it’s just indigestion. So I’m outta here!”

The Medical Society Consortium, a group of national medical societies representing 400,000 clinical practitioners, has come together this year to spread the word that “Climate change is harming Americans today, and these harms will increase unless we act.”

Our country needs to remain in the Paris climate accord for the sake of our health, and even more importantly, for the health of our children and grandchildren.

Don H. Gaede, M.D., Fresno

June 5, 2017

Twyla Smith - 5/26/2017 - Canada’s energy plan may be our model for future

Canada’s energy plan may be our model for future

Russell Harland’s recent letter (May 10) regarding fossil fuels vs. renewal energy ignores the massive handouts the fossil fuel industry has enjoyed for many decades. He contends that renewal energy companies shouldn’t need subsidies to be competitive.

It’s true renewables are beginning to get a bigger slice of the pie – and they should. Who wouldn’t prefer to support energy sources that free us from increasing reliance on foreign countries and from the pollution, environmental degradation and health consequences of fossil fuels?

When examining the energy programs of Australia and Canada, Mr. Harland fails to look at the whole picture. Canada’s impending plan is based on British Columbia’s, which has been in place since 2008, and has lowered carbon emissions while their economy kept pace with the rest of the country. It’s been a success and remains very popular.

Sadly, by failing to return the monies collected back to their people, the Australian plan was doomed. The lesson learned is that the “dividend” component of any carbon fee is absolutely necessary to protect both consumers and the economy.

Canada’s plan, once proved successful, could be our model for the future.

Twyla Smith

May 26, 2017

http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article152390577.html

Tom Lambert - 5/20/2017 - Eliminate all energy subsidies, including fossil fuels

http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article151372257.html

Eliminate all energy subsidies, including fossil fuels

May 20, 2017

Russell Harland argues in his letter May 9 that if solar and wind power were competitive, they would not need subsidies. Yet between 1950 and 2010, the federal government provided $594 billion of subsidies for fossil fuels compared with $74 billion for renewables according to a 2011 study commissioned by the Nuclear Energy Institute.

In addition, Americans spend $120 billion per year on health-care costs associated with burning fossil fuels, an indirect subsidy to the fossil fuel industry. The National Academy of Sciences estimated this hidden subsidy at 3.2 cents per kWh for coal in 2005. Other estimates are as much as tenfold that cost. If fossil fuels are competitive, why do they need such subsidies?

Mr. Harland has a valid point about subsidies, though. Let’s stop all subsidies and price energy according to true costs, including health care, by adding a fee for each ton of carbon produced. Rather than subsidizing anything, return that fee to the American people and let us spend it where we want. When people pay the true costs for their energy, without subsidies, there is no question that renewables will win. And so will the American people.

Tom Lambert, Yosemite National Park

Twyla Smith - unpublished 5/2017 - Fossil Fuels vs. Renewal Energy

I’m writing in response to Russell Harland’s recent letter regarding fossil fuels vs. renewal energy.  Mr. Harland contends renewal energy companies shouldn’t need subsidies to be competitive; ignoring the massive hand-outs the fossil fuel industry has enjoyed for many decades. 

It’s true renewables are beginning to get a bigger slice of the pie—and they should.  Who wouldn’t prefer to support energy sources that free us from increasing reliance on foreign countries, and from the pollution, environment degradation and health consequences of fossil fuels? 

When examining the energy programs of Australia and Canada, I believe Mr. Harland fails to look at the whole picture.  Canada’s soon to be implemented plan is based on British Columbia’s, which has been in place since 2008, and has lowered carbon emissions while their economy kept pace with the rest of the country.  It’s been a success, and remains very popular!

Sadly, by failing to return the monies collected back to their people, the Australian plan was doomed.  The lesson learned is that the “dividend” component of any carbon fee is absolutely necessary to protect both consumers and the economy.

Canada’s plan, once proved successful, could be our role model for the future.

Twyla Smith

May 2017

Pete Moe - 5/3/2017 - When will Rep. Devin Nunes figure out fossil fuels are yesterday’s power?

When will Rep. Devin Nunes figure out fossil fuels are yesterday’s power?

May 03, 2017 12:02 PM

In his latest email to constituents, Congressman Devin Nunes congratulates President Trump for opening up offshore oil drilling. He says this will “relieve our dependence on hostile and unstable energy suppliers, create jobs, and strengthen America’s international influence.”
I wonder if Nunes and Trump realize that according to the 2016 U.S. Department of Energy report, solar energy employed more people than the coal, gas, and oil combined. Within the Electric Power Generation sector, solar employed 43 percent of the sector’s workforce, while fossil fuels combined employed just 22 percent of the workforce.
Meanwhile in China, the government energy agency announced in January that it intended to spend $360 billion on solar and wind energy through 2020.
Renewable, clean energy is the energy of the future. Our political leaders need to get on board with this concept, or get left behind in the international race for innovative and job-creating energy sources.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article148388364.html#storylink=cpyRenewable, clean energy is the energy of the future. Our political leaders need to get on board with this concept, or get left behind in the international race for innovative and job-creating energy sources.

Pete Moe, Clovis

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article148388364.html#storylink=cpy

Pete Moe, Clovis

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article148388364.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article148388364.html#storylink=cpy

http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article148388364.html

Bruce Ratcliffe - 4/2017 unpublished - Out of Sight

Out of Sight. . .
     With rainfall and Sierra snowpack around 170% of normal, Governor
Brown has declared California’s drought over–but not in the San Joaquin
Valley.  Huh?   Consider these facts:  The Central Valley is the world’s
largest patch of Class One soil, the best for crops, and produces about
40% of the country’s fruits, nuts and vegetables.  Unfortunately, our
agricultural practices are not sustainable.  The drought has led
desperate farmers to sink wells deeper than their neighbors–a race to
the bottom.  Mark Cowin, director of California’s Department of Water
Resources (DWR) recently stated,  “Because of increased pumping,
groundwater levels are reaching record lows – up to 100 ft lower than
previous records.”
     Some say we should build more dams–storage in case of another
drought.  But we already have more than enough storage.  DWR estimates
our total underground storage capacity is twenty times greater than all
California’s reservoirs put together.  We’ve been blessed with a huge,
but shrinking, water “savings account”.   We’ve been making many more
withdrawals than deposits.  We’re still suffering from a drought, but
it’s hiding underground.  Until we refill the Valley’s water table to
pre-drought levels, OUR drought will not be over.  Call it “saving for a
non-rainy day.”
Bruce Ratcliffe
April 2017

Connie Young - 3/30/2017 - There is a sensible response to climate change

There is a sensible response to climate change

March 30, 2017 4:39 PM

The Trump administration’s disappointing rollback of emission standards demonstrates the problem with using regulations to address climate change: Regulations can be easily undone when political winds blow in a new direction. Instead, we need Congress to pass bipartisan climate-change legislation.
Fortunately, the House Climate Solutions Caucus is leading the way on this issue. Begun by just two members last year, this bipartisan caucus has grown to 26 members, comprised of 13 Republicans and 13 Democrats.
Rep. Carlos Curbelo, Republican co-chair of the caucus, just spoke out against the administration’s rollback of carbon-emission standards saying, “Climate change is also a threat to our national security and local economies across the country. We cannot, and must not, ignore these challenges. I continue to believe economic growth and dealing with this threat are not mutually exclusive.
“We have a responsibility to our citizens and future generations to support market-based solutions, investments, and innovations that could alleviate the effects of climate change and make our nation more resilient.”

Our local representatives Jim Costa, Tom McClintock, Devin Nunes and David Valadao should join these bold Republicans and Democrats in demonstrating leadership on this critically important issue.

Connie Young, Fresno

http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article141589289.html

Don Gaede - March 15, 2017 - Take a tip from Reagan: Help the environment

Take a tip from Reagan: Help the environment

Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt said he doesn’t think human activity is a primary contributor to global warming: “We need to continue the debate and continue the review and the analysis.”
In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan was confronted with scientific evidence that manmade chemicals were depleting Earth’s ozone layer. Although he didn’t have 100 percent proof, he acted anyway, and signed the Montreal Protocol. The protocol called on all nations to transition to chemicals that did not harm our atmosphere. As it turned out, Reagan acted just in time, and the ozone hole is shrinking.
We now have NASA and many major scientific bodies saying human CO2 is warming our planet. We don’t have 100 percent proof, but there’s enough evidence for prudent, conservative people to act – call it an insurance policy.
Former Reagan Secretary of State George Schultz has written, “We all know there are those who have doubts about the problems presented by climate change. But if these doubters are wrong, the evidence is clear that the consequences, while varied, will be mostly bad, some catastrophic.”
Let’s be Reaganesque, and take out an insurance policy – just in case Mr. Pruitt is wrong.

Don Gaede, Fresno
March 15, 2017

 http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article138562523.html

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article138562523.html#storylink=cpy

Connie Young - unpublished March 2017 - Sharing good news.

I'd like to share some news that gives me hope in these troubled times.

Two more members of Congress have joined the House Climate Solutions Caucus. This is a bipartisan group in the US House of Representatives which will explore policy options that address the impacts, causes, and challenges of our changing climate. Beginning only last year with just two members, it’s membership has already grown to twenty-eight. Members must join in pairs...one Republican, one Democrat. 

I take heart in knowing that a growing number of legislators are willing to set aside their political differences to work together on the challenges posed climate change. Rising temperatures and sea levels are already threatening our food and water supplies, air quality, forests, oceans, and coastlines (including military bases). We simply cannot afford to keep kicking this problem down the road.

I applaud these courageous members of Congress who are putting national security above party loyalty. Who of our local members of Congress will be the first to reach across the aisle for the honor of representing the San Joaquin Valley on this important caucus?

Connie Young

Bruce Ratcliffe - unpublished February 2017 - Earth First!

Earth First!
     Recently astronomers announced the discovery of seven Earth-size
planets orbiting a nearby star.  They’re excited about looking for
evidence that life has evolved there.  Perhaps they need not waste their
time.
     Consider: there are 100 billion stars in our galaxy.  SETI (Search
for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) has been looking for life out there
for half a century.  The basic idea is that any civilization advanced
enough to have invented radio would now be sending out a steady “I’m
here!” (Think: Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who”) signal. This would be
easily picked up with SETI’s extremely sensitive radio telescopes.
     So far?--nothing. Hmmmm.
     Here’s a sobering theory: Any civilization with modern electronics
would require lots of electricity to run, electricity generated by, say,
burning of fossil fuels.  They became so addicted to the lifestyle that
oil made possible, they couldn’t cut back even when it became clear
where they were heading.  Rising CO2 levels caused runaway heating of
their planet, cooked everyone.
     Citizens’ Climate Lobby has a workable plan to stop global warming
before it stops us.  Let’s make Earth be the first planet to avoid the
fate that brought civilizations on all the others to an end.

Bruce Ratcliffe