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Letter: Health and economy depend on climate

Health and economy depend on climate

Dear Editor:

I support President Obama’s recently announced plan to combat climate change and advance clean energy. The plan calls for reducing carbon pollution from power plants — our largest source of pollution driving climate change that also harms our health and economy.



We are seeing the effects of climate change already: Storms are becoming more intense, heat waves more severe, drought more persistent and wildfire more prevalent. Superstorm Sandy alone caused more than $1 billion in damages and a loss of life that cannot be quantified.

Rising temperatures also trigger more bad-air days, which are of particular concern for the young, the elderly and those with asthma and other health issues. We can’t afford to ignore these costs any longer.




Investing in renewable energy, increased efficiency and pollution controls will create jobs and a more resilient economy. In fact, history has shown that when we rein in pollution, we get a big bang for our buck. Since 1970, every $1 in investment in compliance with Clean Air Act standards has produced $4 to $8 in economic benefits.

When it comes to our climate, the costs of inaction are mounting. We owe it to our children and future generations to rise to this challenge.

Julija Merljak

Fairplay