I am writing in response to the letter composed by Jim Bates of Gill. In his letter he states as a fact that the U.S. contributes only 15% of carbon emissions while the countries who provide the remaining 85%, he mentions China, India, and Russia specifically, are doing nothing to reduce their carbon emissions.
I will not dispute his statistics, but I will point out to him that these three countries combined have a population of 2.87 billion people, while the U.S. population is 327.2 million. These countries combined have 8.77 times our population but, even if they were exclusively responsible for the entirety of the remaining 85%, this would mean that they produce only 5.67 times the carbon emissions. Or, more simply, the U.S. accounts for just under 5% of the world’s population, yet emits 15% of the carbon, over three times the global per capita average. The fact is that per capita the US has one of the largest carbon footprints of any country in the world. Yes we have made strides in recent years, but we have a responsibility to do so.
Mr. Gates also states that unless these other countries do something, any steps taken by the U.S. would not matter. I take issue with this statement. The U.S. I grew up in prided itself on being a role model for other countries. Why should we not be a role model in helping to reduce the emission of carbon and other greenhouse gases? What possible objections can one have to being a citizen of a country that has decided to take steps towards a healthier environment? I cannot believe that doing nothing is ever a better choice than doing the right thing.
Elizabeth LareauWhitcomb
Northfield