Letter to the editor: Facts are clear on climate change

Regarding the letter “Stick with evidence on climate change” (Oct. 28, TribLIVE), I wish writer Allen Clark had done so. As many as 99% of climate scientists are in agreement that human-caused warming is occurring (easily Googled), and if that isn’t enough for you, just look at the incontrovertible facts. Temperatures are increasing, water levels are rising, ice is melting, fires and storms are more frequent and severe.

Mr. Clark, are you a climatologist? What makes you qualified to challenge the overwhelming consensus of those who are? Or Trump, or the talking heads on Fox “News,” all of whom are ignorant on the complex science of climatology but heavily invested in the politics of keeping the energy companies’ profits high? Trump’s inauguration committee took $7 million from energy companies (also easily Googled).

Where’s the money to be made in promulgating phony theories of climate change? But the energy companies continue to make fortunes by denying it and doing their best to sow confusion by paying a few “experts,” as the tobacco companies did to cling to their dwindling profits when the science could no longer be denied.

You seem to ridicule Greta Thunberg. You ask where she got her information. It sounds like she listened to the real experts, not the fake news of Trump and Fox News.

Think like a gambler for a moment. What do we stand to lose by denying climate change? Everything. What do we stand to gain, even if you are right, by acting on the scientists’ recommendations? A cleaner, sustainable world. I know where I’d put my money.

Al Duerig

Salem