Misplaced priorities on environment

On July 23, the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial body of the United Nations, ruled that countries have an obligation to protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions. Countries that fail to do so could incur legal responsibility and make full reparation depending on the circumstances.

On July 24, a large-scale study found that long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution, including car exhaust emissions, can be linked to an increased risk of dementia. Researchers from the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit and University of Cambridge in England said there is an “urgent need” to combat air pollution.

On July 29, President Donald Trump’s administration proposed revoking a scientific finding that has long been the central basis for U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. The proposed rule would rescind a 2009 declaration that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare.

One of these things is not like the other. But what do you expect from an administration populated with climate change deniers, health care charlatans and science skeptics? What do you expect from a president and his GOP minions who gleefully accept campaign donations from fossil fuel interests — $96 million in direct donations to support Donald Trump’s last presidential campaign and nearly $80 million on advertising supporting Trump and other Republicans.

The U.S. fossil fuel industry benefits from an estimated $760 billion annually through federal subsidies, tax breaks and other means. That’s a prime target for anyone genuinely interested in reducing bloat and waste in the federal budget. Instead, we choose to slash funding for after school programs, school lunches, health care, foreign aid and dozens of other initiatives that make our country and world more livable for more people. Elections have consequences. Remember that the next time you vote.

Steven M. Ostrowski

Lombard