We need to encourage renewable energy to protect SLO County — and the world

Thanks to The Tribune for publishing the “oil and water” cartoon in the Opinion section of the Nov. 10 paper.

It’s true that they don’t mix, and the consequences can be dire. Donald Trump’s energy strategy is “drill, baby, drill.” He has vowed to expand oil and gas drilling. As a climate change denier, he is committed to undoing the progress made by President Barack Obama at the Paris Climate Conference, and all climate change action is now in limbo.

New research indicates that the planet is more sensitive to carbon emissions than previously thought. If nothing is done now to lower CO2 emissions, that could mean a 7 degree Celsius temperature rise within a lifetime. For California and San Luis Obispo County, we can expect a scarcity of water and long-term drought. Essentially, such higher temperatures would mean “game over” for Earth.

It’s more important than ever that we let our congressman know that fossil fuels must stay in the ground to preserve a livable planet. Please contact Congressman Salud Carbajal and urge him to work to pass national carbon fee and dividend legislation in 2017. It is urgent that we tax fossil fuels and encourage renewable energy to take their place.

This story was originally published November 16, 2016 at 8:47 PM with the headline "We need to encourage renewable energy to protect SLO County — and the world."