RE: “In Denial” [Dispatch, Oct. 3]:
It would help the public perception of global warming believers if some stopped calling all who disagree with them “deniers,” accusing them of not caring about Earth.
Let's include in the discussion the absolute fact that climate changes were preserved forever in the fossil record before human beings existed; ice ages came and went. There is legitimate disagreement over climate change.
Also, I have been unable to understand the contradictions among environmental groups. Some oppose wind farms, saying they harm bats and birds, while others support them as “green” energy.
Al Gore hates you driving your SUV or minivan, while he rides around in a private jet that gets lower mileage. Celebrities preach about your carbon footprint, while the footprint of their mansions exceeds anything regular people own.
The EPA wants to limit mercury coming from power plants but encourages all households (more than 300 million of them in the United States, with untold numbers of light fixtures) to install CFL bulbs that contain ... mercury.
Environmental groups oppose dams (harms fish), oppose nuclear power (the rods!), and oppose new electric power plants, while they want Americans to embrace electric cars that use.... electricity.
Most people won't agree to get rid of everything with an on/off switch (or a gas tank), pay even more for their electricity (and heating oil), and pay more for gasoline. Some have large families and cannot buy a tiny car; some value their safety more than the price of a gallon of gas.
It is worth noting that making plastics uses tons of petroleum and most of that is (by necessity) in the medical field: Disposable medical devices, barriers, tubes - the list goes on. More people will need medical care in the future, and the last thing we need is higher petroleum prices to drive up costs for our doctors, hospitals, and patients.
We should gather more information and proceed carefully.