Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 5:19AM | 
MENU
Advertisement

The Creator has entrusted Earth to us, so we must find climate solutions

The Creator has entrusted Earth to us, so we must find climate solutions

The Rev. Mitchell Hescox was “spot-on” in his July 13 Forum piece “Protecting God’s Creation.” When the earth, the air and the sea — and all that live therein — were created, humans were set apart to be “caretakers” of that which the Creator said was “good.”

Our “job performance,” over the years, has been questionable. Regardless of why or how, our climate is changing. The Earth’s temperature has been rising, and ice has responded by melting.

That may be an inconvenience for people with ice cube-cooled beverages. It is much more than an inconvenience for people living in places like coastal Alaska. Sea levels are rising, the polar ice is thawing and their ages-old livelihood of fishing in the icy Arctic sea is threatened to become a thing of the past.

Advertisement

The effects of climate change are also felt closer to home. In spite of the improved air quality in Pittsburgh since the decline of the steel industry, the American Lung Association’s “State of the Air Report” still gives our area a failing grade. And as the Rev. Hescox suggested, “our changing climate will make it worse.”

Some believe our region’s natural gas supply is the answer to cleaner air. But it’s not that simple. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing (July 31-Aug. 1 in Pittsburgh) on the Clean Power Plan, which is a new limit on carbon dioxide pollution from electric plants (“new” meaning there’s never been a limit). Changing from burning coal to burning natural gas to generate electricity is not the solution.

Being entrusted by our Creator to “take care of” creation, it seems we’re at a point where there is no simple solution. We need to make difficult decisions to lessen the burden on the planet. Reducing carbon emissions is just a start. We need to focus on things that are sustainable, so that we can pass a healthy planet on to future generations. Like it or not, regulation may be needed to do this.

REV. PAUL L. LUBOLD
Ross

Advertisement

First Published: July 27, 2014, 4:00 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) slides after making a first down and is hit by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) and safety Ar'Darius Washington (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
1
sports
Gerry Dulac: Steelers might not have to run far to find next year's QB
Sen. John Fetterman arrives for the inauguration ceremony where Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th  President in the United States on Jan. 20, 2025.
2
news
'Democracy for sale' or a 'Golden Age': Pa. lawmakers respond to President Donald Trump's inauguration
As a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus was lifted to be towed, smoke started to billow as a fire restarted on 5Th ave on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Oakland.
3
news
Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus catches fire in Oakland
A City of Pittsburgh River Rescue boat navigates through ice on the Allegheny River Downtown on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Pittsburgh is under a cold weather advisory until Wednesday.
4
news
Pittsburgh's deep freeze has arrived — but the coldest temps are still to come
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announced the death of a 17-year-old Masai giraffe named Sox. The zoo said Sox was euthanized on Jan. 17, 2025.
5
local
Pittsburgh zoo announces death of 17-year-old giraffe Sox
Advertisement
LATEST opinion
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story