The heartbreaking Nepal calamity, caused in part by a collapsing glacier, was the predicted outcome of climate-warming disruption caused by the burning of oil, coal, and natural gas. 

Sadly, Nepal’s per capita carbon footprint is a fraction of that of Western nations.

The melting of permafrost and glaciers, warming oceans, severe storms and droughts, extreme heat and worsening wildfires –- all caused by climate change — are costing lives and livelihoods in the United States as well.  This will worsen if we do not act to halt the warming of the climate. 

Is it not a matter of conscience to prevent the warming that will be visited upon our descendants regardless of race, wealth, nation, religion, ethnic identity, or politics?  Is it not a matter of national security to ensure we are building the industries that are already advanced in other nations rather than continuing to cede expertise and renewable energy primacy to other nations?

There are several steps that we can immediately take that will most certainly build industries and jobs, while reducing pollution -– all of which should attract bipartisan support if done correctly.

On the national level, Senate Majority Leader John Thune should bring permitting reform to the floor, which will help move energy projects to the approval or rejection stage more quickly and shore up or rebuild decaying electric grid infrastructure. To save jobs and lower electricity costs, the bill should ensure that renewable projects, once approved, cannot then be rescinded on presidential whim.

On the Connecticut state level, we must remove the unnecessary and business-killing cap on the size of solar projects so that solar businesses can compete to build large solar arrays. 

We should also research with solar companies what sensible steps can be implemented that will reduce the cost of Connecticut’s residential solar to (at least) the cost of that of Texas (residential solar in Texas costs about half that of Connecticut).  We should also offer a contest with a sizeable prize to renewable business incubators that solve problems while increasing businesses in Connecticut: for example, reducing the cost of solar canopies. 

We have numerous resources in Connecticut that could solve problems.  Surely technical schools and universities could team up to solve problems, win financial backing, and create new businesses and jobs for people residing right here in Connecticut.

Conscience calls us to immediate action.

Susan Chapin lives in Mystic.