Senators’ inaction ignores climate threat

Curious why not one Republican voted for the inflation reduction bill recently negotiated by Sens. Chuck Schumer and Joe Manchin, I wrote Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley. I got replies from both of them but only a thank you from Sen. Grassley, who follows the party line.

Sen. Ernst was more forthcoming, writing “ … the science surrounding climate change continues to develop, and additional objective research needs to be done to conclusively identify root causes.”

It isn’t enough that scientists overwhelmingly agree that our climate is warming and causing disasters nationwide. Scientists didn’t overwhelmingly agree to exchange oars for sails. To suggest that more study is needed is to infer that we can’t take any action to address the problem let alone solve it. Hiding behind perfection is no justification for inaction.

Ernst continues by saying “I support an ‘all of the above’ energy approach that increases America’s energy independence and domestic production.”

Since the inflation reduction bill includes expanded drilling, pipelines, nuclear, as well as renewables, isn’t that the legislation that meets Sen. Ernst’s standards?

Finally she writes “Climate change is an international issue, not one limited to the United States.”

Shouldn’t we be leading rather than waiting for other countries to act even though many already have? We need nuclear solutions, and fossil fuels but we should be moving forcefully toward renewables.

We need more senators who are persuaded by evidence. That’s why I’m voting for Admiral Mike Franken.

Kyran J. Cook

Iowa City