Don Ritter’s “Green government policy is the real existential threat” (Oct. 1) remarkably ignores the cost of continuing to burn fossil fuels and the progress in developing green energy sources.

Mr. Ritter ignores the steadily worsening extreme heat, forest fires, hurricanes, drought and floods caused by increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. These natural disasters, the economic cost and human suffering comprise the social cost of carbon.

A recent study published in Nature magazine estimates each additional metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere costs society $185. The price of gasoline, oil, coal and natural gas does not include the social cost. These fuels would quickly become non-competitive if honestly priced.

Wind and solar will not fully meet the world’s energy needs. Reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will require every possible energy source. The Princeton Net-Zero America analysis makes it clear the U.S. will need: wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, hydrogen, nuclear, bioenergy, synthetic and fossil fuels with carbon capture power and greater efficiency to reach net-zero greenhouse gases. Continued investment in all of these areas is critical.

Mr. Ritter contends that the investment necessary to go green is “wildly disproportionate to society’s energy needs.” The latest research indicates otherwise. A recent Oxford University study concludes that a rapid transition (25 years) to clean energy sources will result in net-savings of many trillions of dollars. A slower implementation will be far more expensive.

Putin’s war has hastened the day when Russia’s oil markets dry up as the rest of the world converts to clean energy. China will depend on others for oil. The country that leads in green technology will be self-sufficient. No longer will our economic well-being be controlled by autocrats.

Ed Hyde
Forest Hills

First Published: October 16, 2022, 4:00 a.m.