Are you feeling hot this week? In the face of all evidence by scientists worldwide, Donald Trump (predictably, alas) pulled the United States out of the Paris climate accord last year. Worse yet, he claimed to be representing Pittsburgh, a city that is strongly pro-environment. 

It’s a fact that our planet is warming at an alarming rate. It is not a rumor, not a theory and certainly not an “alternative fact.” Scientific data overwhelmingly demonstrate that this climate change is human-made. It is not too late to stop it, but we must act now.

Many Republicans are clear-sighted enough and politically wise enough to recognize these truths and be willing to stand up for them (unfortunately, Sen. Pat Toomey is not yet one of them). 

Most businesses are strongly in favor of dealing with climate change. This is an economic no-brainer. Dealing with climate change will spur new industries, and America could be the worldwide leader in renewable, clean energy. We can reduce health costs, too, by reducing air pollutants that cause asthma and other lung diseases in the young and old. We can make our state, our country, our planet a better place to live.

There is no Plan(et) B.

SARAH GAFFEN
Mt. Lebanon

First Published: August 30, 2018, 4:00 a.m.