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On Aug. 23, I attended the annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society in Michigan. I listened to scientists from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia describe the impacts of climate change on marine and freshwater fishes.
There were no doubts that lakes, streams, and oceans were warming. For most fish species, warming will have harmful effects.
That same evening, I watched the Republican presidential debates. What a contrast! When asked to raise their hands if they believed that man-made emissions were the cause of global warming, not one of the eight raised their hand. Ron DeSantis objected. Nikki Haley acknowledged the link between emissions and warming and suggested that the U.S. should pressure China and India to reduce emissions, because they are the largest sources of greenhouse gases. Haley neglected to note that per capita, the U.S. ranks first in greenhouse gas emissions. Vivek Ramaswamy declared that climate warming was a hoax. As for the rest of the candidates - no comment. What scares me is that our next president might be among this group.
The decision to lead the world in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions should not be political. Unfortunately, it has been. Democrats have largely supported policies and legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Many Republicans have not.
As voters, we must show in elections that we are deeply concerned with global warming and the altered environment we will leave our children and grandchildren.
DR. ROBERT CARLINE
State College
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom