Left Hand Valley Courier - All Local, All The Time

To the editor:

Perhaps the recent Letter submissions regarding climate change might benefit from Googling three sources: ) "17,200 Scientists Dispute Global Warming" 2) "31,000 Scientists say no convincing evidence" - OSS Foundation. And Nolte: "Climate Experts are 0-41 with their doomsday predictions." This should clarify that there is no consensus on man-made climate effect. And even if there were consensus, consensus is not verifiable science.

R. Eggers, Niwot

To the editor:

I was dismayed and disappointed to see a prominent and well respected member of our community write in, October 16th Vol 23 Issue 42, without checking his facts in his sharp criticism of Niwot High School and SVVSD students who, of their free will, continue to participate in the Colorado Climate Strikes and exercise First Amendment rights. At Niwot High School, we are taught to use credible news sources, to prevent further spread of misinformation.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary General Petteri Taalas did an interview in Finland on September 6th 2019. On September 12th 2019 Mr. Taalas issued a formal statement about misinformation being spread about that interview: “Media reports based on a recent interview that I gave in Finland have attracted attention, on the grounds that I purportedly questioned the international focus on the need for robust climate action. This is a selective interpretation of my words and my long-standing views.”

As a youth organizer who works alongside students from Niwot High School and as a previous student of NHS, I speak on behalf of our Colorado Climate Strike youth coalition when I say that we share, and amplify, the information Mr. Taalas, the WMO, and the over 2,000 scientists who have contributed to IPCC reports, provide about our rapidly changing climate and resulting extreme weather events affecting communities worldwide. Mr. Taalas, in his rebuttal, states that, in fact, “[w]e have seen recording-breaking temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations, the smallest amount of sea ice in the Arctic, melting mountain glaciers and rising sea levels.

“It is highly important that we rein in greenhouse gas emissions, notably from energy production, industry and transport. This is critical if we are to mitigate climate change and meet the targets set out in the Paris Agreement on climate change.

“To stop a global temperature increase of more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the level of ambition needs to be TRIPLED. And to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees, it needs to be multiplied by FIVE.” [Emphasis added.]

We strike to challenge the status quo, especially in Colorado, where there is a “Business As Usual” attitude towards energy policy and regulation. Our legislators and regulators continue to turn a blind eye to the repercussions of shale gas extraction on our climate. We strike for our future, and we believe that a more just and sustainable world is possible with independent thinking and creative problem-solving driving solutions.

Our education system has much to improve, but we have learned and are exercising critical and independent thinking. We question and call out inaction on both sides of the political aisle. We want to see real action and are demanding a fundamental shift towards true renewable energy independence and away from dependence on the fossil fuel industry which ALSO contributes to ever increasing production of plastics as a byproduct. To blame Niwot High School for students’ participation in the strikes, by such a prominent member of our community, is disturbing and disappointing. After all, we are striking FROM school to draw attention to the need for all adults to urgently act on climate change.

Sincerely,

Marlow Baines, Earth Guardians Co-Youth Director, Niwot Resident