Follow U.S. Navy’s lead on climate change

In response to Bill Ferrel's Aug. 12 column “Republicans should address climate change at Ames straw poll”:

I recently listened to a teleconference where Commander M. Blake McBride III discussed the U.S. Navy's position on climate change. His comments: Man-made global warming is real and affecting both the natural environment and geopolitical stability, and, for years, the U.S. Navy has been actively preparing a plan to deal with the contingencies that will arise from this.

It is time to follow the Navy's pragmatic lead of viewing climate change as the operational condition and to start dealing with it.

The good news is that there is a clear direction for us to take: reduce our atmospheric carbon to 350 parts per million.

Ferrel's guest column shows that this is not a partisan issue. Economic growth and environmental sustainability are complementary goals. By growing the green-sector economy, we can create good high-paying jobs while reducing our carbon emissions.

We the people decide who will govern us. So let's hold our candidates accountable to our future. Question them as Ferrel has done, listen to their answers and elect the one who will put us on a path that best protects our interests and those of our children. It is a bright green future.

Mark E. NeuCollins

Solon