Ignoring warming carries greater cost

While reading the newspaper the last few months I have noticed a disturbing trend. There is a new wave of deniers of the fact that greenhouse gasses are contributing to global warming.

Included in this group are three Republican candidates for the governor of Illinois. Although they are finally admitting there is a warming trend they insist this warming can be explained by natural processes exclusively.

No one is denying that there are natural cycles and processes that can contribute to the problem but they just don't contribute enough to cause the warming we are experiencing right now. To deny that human activity is contributing to this warming is irresponsible.

While I was in school 25 years ago I wrote a 30 page report on global warming. The things that are occurring on our planet right now are exactly what the model predicted back then. In those years we could have found solutions to these problems, but we have done nothing.

The cost is of course the greatest concern of those who doubt the effects of increased greenhouse gasses. Frankly I don't believe anything will get done until it does start to cost us.

In the years since I wrote my report I have read about scores of researchers with ingenious solutions in the areas of energy production. The articles always ended the same way, at the moment the cost is more than the market will bear. The result has been that we have done nothing. I suggest it is time to level the playing field and unleash the creative talent of our country so we can find real solutions and make real advances. These advances will not only cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, but will also improve overall air and water quality and lead us to true energy independence.

Michael Precin

Palatine