Our search for life among the planets hasn't been fruitful – too much methane, too much carbon dioxide! God fortunately bestowed Earth with these Green House Gases (GHG) in moderation. Scientists agree that we shirk our caretaker role of the Earth and disrupt the laws of nature through exploitation of fossil fuels. "U.S. roasts to hottest year on record by landslide" (NJH Jan. 8) reports, "A picture is emerging of a world with more extreme heat."
The fossil fuel industry is bestowed with special economic and political privileges. The accounting of costs for adverse health and environmental impacts are not charged to those extracting and distributing coal, natural gas or oil. Our government provides the fossil fuel industry with subsidies, tax loopholes, bargain prices for public lands, exclusive "right of ways," and eminent domain over those who object to drilling and mining. In cases of international energy trade, we abdicate state sovereignty privileges to the World Court. Our reliance on fossil fuels for "energy security," as noted by recent defense studies, comes at the expense of global warming induced droughts, floods and famines — "global insecurity." Clearly a devil's bargain!
The solution is more than households reducing their carbon footprint. Federal level can do more to hold fossil fuel corporations accountable for their pollution, double down on clean energy and eliminate waste. Governor Christie needs to elevate climate change prevention to the priority of climate disaster recovery. Provide more funding for clean energy and energy efficiency, develop offshore wind and implement "smart growth" initiatives. By restructuring our energy policy we can produce a more livable and lovable world!