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Saving energy
can slow global warming
As your excellent article
("Your 100-year forecast," Jan. 30) reflected, despite naysayers
like author Michael Crichton, there is broad scientific consensus that
global warming is occurring much faster than expected and that the rate is
accelerating. Severe impacts are being felt in many places, and climate
experts express growing concern about potential "tipping points"
and runaway warming.
The increasing drought/flood
cycles and violent storms in North Carolina
might not be global warming-related; either way, they're destined to
worsen.
Fortunately, measures to curb
global warming should also be done for economic reasons. Clean technologies
are fully developed to begin replacing hazardous electricity sources.
However, that transition is impossible without widespread reductions in
energy consumption. For years, experts in energy efficiency and building
design have demonstrated that energy usage can be dramatically reduced by
practical, available measures that reduce air pollution and save money.
Saving energy is good for business and job creation. I encourage the News
& Record to continue covering global warming -- plus the feasibility of
reducing greenhouse gases in the short term.
Jim
Warren
Durham
The writer is executive director, N.C.
Waste Awareness & Reduction Network.
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