Inaction on climate will be disaster for planet

A call to action on climate by a top U.N. official is telling and should be heeded not only by other leaders but also by citizens within the communities they serve. I'm speaking on behalf of those like myself, a resident of Naperville.

Where the effects of heightened carbon emissions haven't been physically noticeable to many in the area, we're lucky in that regard.

Though, something to be gleaned from the urge felt by High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet is that climate issues have reached levels we should all strongly consider. And that future generations will suffer terribly if certain global goals are not met. It's about priorities and foreword thinking, the efficiency of a carbon cash back dividend will help society as a whole. But the lack of it will be detrimental, most certainly with continued inaction on progress toward a cleaner Earth.

The U.S. is capable of meeting the goal of 50% reduction of emissions by raising fees on the largest producer - and ultimately giving the funds raised back to the community. Our role as Americans is influential, which means U.S. taking the lead to address this problem gives an example for others to recognize and follow.

2030 is not that far off, so it's also crucial to contact our members of Congress and the president to make sure these existential promises are kept.

This mirrors the opinions of the article, "UN rights chief: Actions on climate a matter of survival," published on Oct. 28, while also bringing attention to the responsibility we hold as a nation. The negative role greenhouse emissions have played on human life thus far and the urgent need to reduce carbon pollution is a matter of survival and there may be no humans to even consider these matters in the years to come.

Tristan Flemming

Naperville