After I read the Aug. 31 article “Officials celebrate Hydropower Month,” I was glad that I was reading a paper copy because I had to swat myself on the head a few times, dumbfounded. Both my self-abuse and, worse, Gov. Maura Healey’s stance on hydropower and pumped storage, as we have in Northfield.
First, I am like, how out of touch is this governor with the people of western Massachusetts? Where I have already heard said, “We are being colonized/exploited by Boston.”
Nobody wants to have the urgently vital conversation; the earth is on fire. I agree we have been immeasurably blessed here, so far, this year. We cannot let that numb us or delude us into inaction. Is your heart still beating? Do you have a human conscience?
Terrifying consequences in Nepal due to climate change from our waste, our consumption, our wars. This is insane and must stop, and now. Stop lying to us about “clean” hydroelectric — especially ones that run on fossil fuels and nuclear fission.
We don’t have time to “phase out” fossil fuels anymore; this industry is toxifying us from the inside out. Let’s not co-sign our demise on the last day of August by offering a trophy to corporate interests kneeling to their will. We have 11 months until next August. Then we may hopefully have elected a new progressive governor, such as Andrea James (Independent).
May I suggest instead you make August the official month of “tuning in and turning off.” Before we chop forests, build new nuclear plants, or dam more rivers as we, the people, are pushed ever faster to our own demise — as a species, as families.
Let’s do everything we can within our own spheres of influence to reduce consumption and demand, from the state down, changing our economy to a peace economy, and investing in the people of Massachusetts.
Gov. Healey, this is an official invitation to come and listen to the hill people, before it’s too late for us all.
Dorothea Melnicoff
Greenfield