If we act now, we can ease climate change

Lost amid the carnival sideshow that is now Washington, D.C., was the release of a 500-page environmental impact statement in which the Trump administration made an amazingly scary assumption: our planet will, if left on its current course, warm a disastrous seven degrees by the end of this century. This might appear to be an admission that global warming is occurring and is caused primarily by human actions; however, the statement was not a call to action, but an excuse to justify a freeze on automobile fuel efficiency standards. Essentially, it said, "Too late. Nothing to be done. Why bother to try?"

The just-released report of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirms the peril of our situation but adds a modicum of hope: if we act now, there is a possibility of mitigating the rise in temperature caused by carbon emissions. This is today's greatest challenge and it is shocking that America would abdicate its leadership in trying to solve it.

America has never backed down from a challenge and that quality is what has truly made America great. We freed ourselves from tyranny, forging a nation based on ideals. We sacrificed blood and treasure to save democracy in the wider world, not once, but twice. We had moonshot dreams and worked to achieve them, in the words of John F. Kennedy, not because they were easy, but because they were hard.

Apparently, the current administration and its enablers in Congress see us as weak, unable to draw on our intellect, perseverance and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. America's greatness resides in our optimism, always looking to a better future. We must look to better leaders who are willing to harness our intellectual might and ingenuity in this latest challenge. Nov. 6 starts that process. Vote.

Joanne Zienty

Wheaton