In his syndicated column in the Aug. 31 Review-Journal, John Stossel claims that transitioning off fossil fuels is impossible and unwise. It ran alongside a headline story about unprecedented Grand Canyon flooding, a few days after a massive Nepal glacier collapse killed thousands and only a week after the frightening Reno-area wildfires chased many Nevadans from their homes.
Other recent headlines include dozens of heat-related Southern Nevada deaths this year, the ongoing Colorado River drought calamity and stories about rising home insurance rates.
Without any doubt, fossil fuel-induced planetary heating is a major common factor in all these tragedies.
We can’t afford to not transition off deadly oil, gas and coal. Switching to clean energy is both plausible and affordable thanks to major advances in battery, nuclear and geothermal technology. Solar paired with battery storage is already the least expensive source for electricity. Nevada benefits economically from these job-creating clean energy technologies.
A solid majority of Southern Nevadans understand the scientific consensus on global warming and know that it is harming people in America. In a recent survey, 72 percent of local residents supported transitioning completely off fossil fuels to clean energy sources by 2050. Political leaders can take courage that public opinion supports clean energy policies. Concerned citizens should know that their neighbors support climate action and might consider joining one of the excellent local organizations dedicated to helping us to a more stable future.
