It could be too late if we wait for answers

In his column, Cal Thomas makes some good points while passing right over the one critical concern. There is no question that carbon dioxide concentrations have been steadily increasing in the atmosphere.

I've not heard any scientist that doubts in the slightest that this is because of emissions from our global increase in burning of fossil fuels and that this trend will continue unless we humans make changes in our behavior. Mr. Thomas correctly notes that there is still lots to debate about just what the effect of this increase might be or how soon what might happen.

But the critical point is that we are conducting an uncontrolled experiment with the only planet we've got. I share Mr. Thomas' concern that there are potentially dire consequences to some of the proposed courses of action. I agree that doctrine seems to be overshadowing reason in some political circles.

But I also recognize that there are potentially dire consequences in maintaining the status quo. To me, the question needs to be about balancing the risk of climate change against the risk of damage to the economic engines that promise all of us a higher quality of life.

As Eeyore observed, the really amusing part is not knowing until after.

Tom Kupferer

Naperville