Support clean energy for future generations

Like Bill Ferrel (Friday guest column), I, too, want to hear how Republican candidates will ensure our long-term economic stability as our nation continues to grow warmer. This is sure to happen in coming decades because of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere. We need to support people with the courage to confront future problems.

Since Iowa has so much wind power, candidates who support clean energy are supporting jobs and long-term economic growth for Iowans.

I also urge President Barack Obama to do his part - refuse the Keystone XL pipeline permission to send its dirty oil from Canadian tar sands 1,700 miles down to Texas refineries. Pipeline construction would tie us into decades of dependence on fossil fuel, with high carbon dioxide emissions. Leaks in the pipeline would pollute the Ogallala aquifer, a major source of drinking and irrigation water for the Midwest. We don't have to rely on this dirty energy - we have clean energy, if government just gives it a level playing field on which to compete.

Climate change is a human rights issue. We have a responsibility to give our children and grandchildren a healthy planet. Contact Obama at www.whitehouse.gov, urge him not to sign the pipeline permit.

Elisabeth Robbins

Marion