During the ongoing heat wave, which has affected most States east of the Rockies, there has been a great deal of political chatter. Most Democrats, concerned about the threats imposed by climate change, point to the extreme weather as strong evidence that we must enact policies to mitigate global warming.
Most Republicans, on the other hand, place emphasis on the stress to our energy grid, arguing for more natural gas production and even suggesting that coal-fueled plants be fired up. They prefer to ignore climate change and are inclined to belittle the value of green energy sources. Indeed, the Trump Administration has cut Federal subsidies for electric vehicles, wind farms and solar energy production.
It is an ecologic vs. economic political confrontation. Ample evidence indicates that the burning of fossil fuels is responsible for global warming and its many complications. To ignore that fact and to focus solely on increasing energy production via their use is a disturbing and potentially disastrous choice.
