No equivalency between parties on climate

I agree with your editorial position that climate change deserves more attention, and above all legislative action. But you're mistaken to imply a false equivalency between Democrats and Republicans, by blasting both parties equally for avoiding the climate issue in their national conventions.

At the DNC, Democrats did not avoid climate change. Many times they voiced concern and an intent to take action on the issue. On the DNC's third night, an entire segment was dedicated to the importance of climate action, and Biden in his acceptance speech mentioned the climate crisis as one of our most urgent issues. Joe Biden also has a climate plan stronger than that of any presidential nominee in history. Contrast this with the RNC, where climate change was not mentioned even once as a problem. The only mention of climate in four evenings was when President Trump bragged about pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Outside the 2020 campaigns, the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, on which Illinois Rep. Sean Casten serves, issued a plan for climate action in late June. None of the Republicans joined in endorsing the plan, nor have they issued a plan of their own. The record is also lopsided on legislation, with far more Democratic than Republican sponsorship on bills for reducing emissions causing climate change.

Yes, we definitely need bipartisanship on climate change. But please, let's be honest that there are currently real differences between our parties in their willingness to tackle this issue.

Wharton Sinkler

Des Plaines