Global warming

Ed Gaskin is right about global warming (“Turn unfunded climate proposals into action plan,” Aug. 12); although, nuclear reactors do not produce CO2.  Unfortunately, much of the problem with reducing CO2 is that many people question if it causes global warming.  Some question if warming is really bad.

They point to the improvements during the “medieval warm period.” They say periods like the “little ice age” were times of hardship.  Yes, there were famines and the great plague. But the earth’s temperature has been falling for millions of years until it leveled off into a narrow band about the time civilizations began about 10,000 years ago.  Warm periods and ice ages have occurred in that band. Since the industrial revolution around 1850 both CO2 and temperatures have been rising. Now both are shooting up like straight lines – approaching the values in the Stone Age and up.  Our civilization is not built for this.

Critics say fluctuating solar and wind electricity production makes them unworkable.  Not only are there advances in energy storage like batteries, there are older methods like reservoirs and lifting weights.

There are incredible advances in energy technology.  Argon National Labs and others have developed the safe storage and use of hydrogen gas.  H2 can be obtained from water and when burned produces water.  H2 cells can be used in EV cars and trucks instead of batteries.  Ford and Toyota are developing H2 engines. There is research in using less rare earths in magnets for electric engines and batteries and H2 cells.  We are on a path to reducing our dependence on these metals.  Will withdrawal of support destroy our chance to make a great leap forward?

Eugene Gobby

Somerville

Climate policy

Ed Gaskin’s op-ed hits the nail squarely on the head.  Good statewide climate policy will address not just obvious targets like CO2 emissions, but issues of housing, affordability, and community resilience, all of which are central to our daily lives.

We can assume that meaningful federal support for environmental initiatives won’t be happening any time soon.  Which in turn means that Massachusetts residents are on our own when it comes to turning our climate goals into practical realities.

Responsible environmental policy makes towns more livable, transportation less frustrating, and housing more affordable.  Whether it’s improved drainage to cope with storm surges, planting more trees to ameliorate urban heat islands, offering tax breaks for climate-friendly appliances, or strengthening our infrastructure to cope with accelerating climate disruption, this is a “target-rich” environment.  Let’s get to work.

Warren Senders

Medford

Jet fuel

The Consumer Energy Alliance, fearmongering in support of fossil fuels, says that the lack of gas will limit our ability to fly anywhere, anytime.

To which I say: good.

Flying is a major contributor to the carbon emissions that are heating our globe.

We need to fly less, import fewer goods by air, and find ways to enjoy life that don’t ruin our planet.  If limits on jet fuel make that happen, I’m all for it.

Susan Donaldson

Northampton