Re: “,” Aug. 19 Perspective article.
Penelope Purdy deftly captures the daunting range of issues facing our national parks as they celebrate their centennial this year, and correctly identifies climate change as the most serious in the long run. I also applaud her placing the responsibility for addressing these issues on we the people — as voters, demanding meaningful responses from our elected representatives.
Fortunately, there are meaningful responses that can maintain economic growth while addressing climate change. Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a group of volunteer citizen lobbyists, proposes a policy with three parts: a gradually increasing carbon fee, collected at the point of extraction or import of fossil fuels; a full refund of the fee revenues to U.S. citizens via monthly per capita rebates; and border tariff adjustments to keep U.S. businesses competitive. An independent analysis estimates that this approach would increase GDP and employment, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
David M. Kline, Boulder
In Penelope Purdy’s piece on the biggest issues facing our national parks, she describes how climate change is “the biggest threat of all.” I hope that Sen. Cory Gardner read this piece, as I know he is a big supporter of Colorado’s national Parks. Following the 100th anniversary of Rocky Mountain National Park in January, he issued this statement: “It’s our duty to ensure Rocky will continue sharing its grandeur beyond the next 100 years as well.”
Already, higher temperatures in Colorado mountains account for earlier snow melts, resulting in less water for plants and animals, pine beetle infestations, and heat stressors on the American Pika.
We can, however, slow rising temperatures — and protect our parks — through a national carbon fee and dividend program. According to Regional Economic Models Inc., it will decrease our carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent within 20 years while adding jobs and strengthening our economy.
Susan Secord, Boulder
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