Soap Box

Drought in the Western U.S. has been accelerating for 20 years, and the water supplied by the Colorado River to two major reservoirs has decreased to near record-low levels.

About 40 million people in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, California and Nevada rely on this water supply. Next year, significant cuts will have to be made to the water supplied to these states.

Climate change has worsened drought conditions in the Western U.S. Average temperatures have increased 2 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit in recent years. In Phoenix, the hottest city in the U.S., the average summer temperature has increased 3.8 degrees since 1970. Phoenix is trying to lessen the heat impact by planting tree canopies, expanding the light-rail system and painting roadways white.

A combination of actions is necessary to lessen the impact of the drought, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, increased use of renewable energy sources, and conservation and rationing of water. Studies should be conducted to evaluate the feasibility of transporting water from the oceans and major rivers by pipeline and constructing more desalination plants. – Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry N.H.

Sex on the mind

It appears GOP states have sex on their minds. The entire Republican platform is centered on sex and controlling women. Stop a woman from making her own choice to have a baby. Ban birth control, condoms and IUDs. Even women who have been raped and are the victims of incest must have the child. These states are also attacking doctors who assist women who need an abortion.

The question is: If Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s wife or daughter was raped, would he force them to have the baby? – Bob Battani, Durango

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Those hoping to preserve a livable world for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren can find much to celebrate in the climate provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act recently passed in the U.S. Senate. The bill, now awaiting passage in the House, contains a huge investment – $369 billion – in low-carbon technologies and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% below 2005 levels by 2030.

The significance of this legislative victory cannot be overstated. For decades, scientists warned of the dire consequences we face for failing to bring down the heat-trapping emissions that are warming our world. For far too long, those warnings were ignored. With these policies in place, the U.S. will embark on a transformational journey to wean ourselves off the fossil fuels driving climate change.

The Inflation Reduction Act will speed this transition by providing tax credits over the next 10 years to develop and deploy clean energy like wind and solar. Money will also be used to help households become more energy efficient and to replace gas appliances with ones powered by electricity, like heat pumps and induction stoves. Middle- and low-income Americans will also be eligible for tax credits to help them buy electric vehicles, thereby reducing the carbon emissions and unhealthy air pollution from gasoline-powered cars and trucks.

The incentives in this legislation will provide economic opportunity here in Colorado by increasing the demand for jobs in the solar, wind and energy efficiency industries. Another important provision in the Inflation Reduction Act addresses the leakage of methane, a greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon dioxide. It’s a big contributor to global warming, and to reduce those emissions, this legislation imposes a fee that rises over time. The principle is simple: Discourage bad behavior by making it more expensive. It worked well in reducing the number of people who smoke cigarettes.

This long-sought breakthrough on climate legislation was made possible by grassroots support. Over the past year, climate advocacy groups have generated hundreds of thousands of letters and calls to our members of Congress urging passage of a reconciliation bill that contains strong climate provisions. This victory was won by concerned citizens who made their voices heard by decision-makers in Washington.

Meaningful steps to fight climate change come not a moment too soon. Extreme weather-related disasters made worse by rising temperatures, like flooding this summer that killed dozens in Missouri and Kentucky, are becoming more frequent and could soon outpace our ability to adapt and recover. In Colorado, the impact of an altered climate is being felt with increased severity and frequency of wildfires, drought and heat waves that reduce crop yields.

Throughout the global community, the U.S. has been viewed as a laggard on climate change. This legislation will help restore U.S. climate leadership. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced in every country around the world, and our example will inspire and motivate other nations to increase their climate ambition. We’re grateful that Sen. John Hickenlooper and Sen. Michael Bennet responded to the call for climate action by voting in favor of the Inflation Reduction Act.

More will be needed to meet the U.S. pledge to cut emissions in half by 2030, but for now, let’s celebrate the passage of this historic legislation, which brings hope that we and future generations can live in a hospitable climate. The best time to do something about climate change was 20 years ago. The next best time is now, and that’s finally happening. – Madeleine Para, Executive Director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. and Susan Atkinson, volunteer with the local Durango chapter

Back in 2009 when Democrats were working toward what became the Affordable Care Act, the GOP claimed falsely that this would have the government making your health care choices, especially if it included a public option. There were bogus claims that death panels would decide which patients would be allowed to live or die.

Now, it’s states controlled by the GOP where the government is making health-care choices for females of reproductive age. And doctor fears of being criminalized for treating women with life-threatening pregnancy complications mean women will probably die. How life-threatening does a situation have to be before a woman can be treated without criminal risk?

All this is thanks to the right-wing anti-democracy super majority on the Supreme Court, nominated by Republican presidents and approved by Republican senators. In overturning Roe v. Wade, they took it upon themselves to decide what constitutes “liberty” as mentioned in the 14th Amendment. They said it doesn’t include a right to privacy, a basis for Roe.

As that decision was pending, a 10-year-old rape victim was spirited out of Ohio, one of those GOP states where abortion is banned, to receive a medicinal abortion in Indiana. Now the GOP has banned abortion there as well.

Moral certitude doesn’t leave room for issues like 10year-old rape victims or life-threatening pregnancy complications. Exceptions for rape, incest or threats to the life of the mother can be iffy at best, if they are available at all.

Moral certitude opens the way for Big Brother digital surveillance, since privacy isn’t a constitutional right, and cancellation of fundamental rights like freedom of travel and freedom of speech is part of keeping women from ending unwanted pregnancies. Once established, that repression can be turned to other areas.

So much for Republicans as the protectors of freedom. – Carole McWilliams, Bayfield