‘Back from the brink’

Dear Editor:

RE: ‘Control agendas?’ (July 20).

Peter Mandic of Fergus writes that it’s time to get educated about climate change and our need to rely on science for the truth.

Climate scientists have been urgently pleading for the past 30 years that humans need to phase out burning fossil fuels for energy, or we will pay a shocking, Earth-changing price for dragging our heels. And here we are in 2023, burning more coal, oil and gas than ever, and – surprise? – we’re now experiencing record-high average world temperatures that have not been experienced on this planet for over 100,000 years.

We have been lucky here in southwestern Ontario so far this summer to have dodged the prolonged and suffocating heat waves that have scorched many parts of the world. Record temperatures have been nearing the limits of human survival in China, Japan, the Middle East, Italy, Greece and many southern and western U.S. states.

Even Exxon’s own scientists knew as far back as 1977 that the burning of fossil fuels could lead to catastrophic climate change, but its executives chose to bury the evidence and carry on “business as usual” making trillions in profits while playing Russian roulette with life on Earth.

Seriously, Mr. Mandic, we are indeed looking at a future that is not livable, unless we act fast on conservation and non-fossil energy solutions – many now cheaper than oil and gas – we know can bring us back from the brink.

Liz Armstrong,
Erin