We need to get past the global warming denial stage
The writer of the Jan. 25 letter, "Global warming? The facts say no," relied on data that "slipped through the cracks" to question the reality of global warming.
While the writer was correct to state that many of the warmest years on record in this country occurred in the 1930s, as well as in more recent years, the issue at hand was global warming, not local or national warming. The reality is that while temperatures vary widely across the globe, seven of the eight warmest years, in terms of the Earth's average surface temperature, have occurred since 2001 -- and all 10 of the warmest years have occurred since 1995.
The writer also was correct to state that polar bear populations have increased since the mid-1970s. However, that rise was the result of international conservation agreements that were urgently needed to save the species. The unfortunate truth is that Arctic sea ice is declining in extent, thickness and duration due to warming conditions. This is limiting the ability of polar bears to reach their food, seals, and is the reason polar bear numbers are now in decline. It's also why the species was recently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
We need to get past the global warming denial stage as soon as possible, not only because of the potentially devastating effects of global warming on life on our planet but also to move away from our dependence on fossil fuels, especially our reliance on foreign oil. The financial loss and threat to our security associated with sending our increasingly limited wealth to the Middle East have become all too apparent and warrant immediate action.
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Russell Peterson
Cromwell
