Don Gaede - 10-18-2018 - Don’t relax the fuel standards

Don’t relax the fuel standards

October 18, 2018

My friends would tell you I don’t get riled up very often. But the EPA’s latest proposal has done the trick. It proposes to stop making any effort to increase the fuel economy of our nation’s vehicles. It would undermine long-standing efforts to clean up our polluted Valley air.

I was at the EPA hearing downtown last week, wearing my white coat, letting them know that this is one doctor — among many — who oppose the change. The executive directors of the air districts of Los Angeles and the Bay Area were also at the hearing, speaking against the proposal. I didn’t spot our own air district executive director, Samir Sheikh. Maybe I missed him.

The proposed change does not sync with the EPA’s stated mission which is “protecting human health and the environment.” Neither does it sync with one of our local air district’s core values, which is “protection of public health.”

If any air district in the country needs to oppose this rule change, our Valley Air District needs to. If any air district in the country needs to support higher vehicle emission standards, our Valley Air District needs to.

Don Gaede, Fresno

 https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article220132535.html

Read more here: https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article220132535.html#storylink=cpy

Andrea Farber De Zubiria - 10-1-2018 - Math on climate change is clear

Math on climate change is clear

Algebra is not my strong point. But here’s some numbers I find interesting, and you might, too.
Last month, the Yale Poll showed that about 70 percent of adults in the Central Valley are concerned about climate change. Majorities in all 50 states, in every congressional district, agree. They also support requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a fee on the carbon that is warming our world, leading to extreme storms, bigger wildfires, insect problems, crop instability and dangerously polluted air. Speaking of math, the Pentagon calls climate change “a threat multiplier” increasing worldwide conflicts and terrorism.
Can we “add” to our economy while “subtracting” coal and oil? Yes! A 2014 study from Regional Economic Models Inc. examined a gradually increasing fee on the carbon dioxide content of fuels, with the money from the fees going back to each American household. The study found that after 20 years, carbon emissions would decline to 50 percent below 1990 levels. The policy is predicted to add 2.8 million jobs to the economy.
When it comes to solving climate change, we need less “division.” If you meet congressional candidates, ask if they will join the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus when elected.

Andrea Farber De Zubiria, Fresno
 October 01, 2018

 https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article219223105.html

Read more here: https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article219223105.html#storylink=cpy

Connie Young - 8-26-2018 - Forest management, climate change

Forest management, climate change

At this month’s Valley Air District governing board meeting, there was considerable disagreement about the relative roles that forest management practices and rising temperatures have played in the wildfires whose smoke has been fouling our air.

I reminded the members that Cal Fire Deputy Chief McClean has said, “It is our changing climate that is leading to more severe and destructive fires.” Supervisor Steve Worthley expressed his passion for improving the way we manage our forests. Dr. Alex Sherriffs said “the two gorillas in the room” are climate change and forest management problems, and we must acknowledge and work together to resolve both of them.

I hope the governing board will give both forest management and climate change the attention and resources they deserve.

Connie Young, Fresno
August 26, 2018

https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article217293935.html

Read more here: https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article217293935.html#storylink=cpy

Latia Taylor - 8-17-2018 - Climate Change and California Fires

Climate Change and California Fires

Published in The Kaweah Commonwealth

I am having a lot of conversations about this terrible fire season that end in a bland, “Well, I hope it gets better.” Frankly, I’m growing tired of this sentiments.

Is that all we’ve got? Throwing up our hands and placing the responsibility for protecting our homes and most treasured wild places in a vague notion of “I hope?”

Are we willing to give up that easily? Are we too lazy to lift a finger in defense of California.

As we mourn one of our very own incredible firefighters, it grates on me to see the same officials and lawmakers that claim to be champions for these brave public servants continue to deny, ignore, and actively undermine attempts to fight climate change. Climate change is the big driver of this shift toward bigger fires that are increasingly difficult to fight. We know it and they know it. They should be ashamed of their hypocrisy.

Want to support firefighters? Fight climate change. Fight it big or fight it small. Do something.

There is so much that we can do. No one has the right to do nothing.

Latia Taylor

Three Rivers

August 17, 2018