Not a dream, a nightmare

Rick Melanson, in his letter of Dec. 3, claims global warming is just a bad dream and that “We’re not in Kyoto anymore.” I’m assuming that Rick lives on another planet; otherwise, he would realize that this planet’s temperature is increasing in large part due to the increase in greenhouse gases, which trap the sun’s rays, which results in higher temperatures.

As more and more of the sun’s rays remain trapped, the Earth’s temperature will continue to increase in the coming years. It doesn’t take a wizard to sort out this logic. It is common sense.

When you have industrial plants spewing out large volumes of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and many other gases that pollute the environment, not to mention what millions of automobiles are releasing, you’re going to end up with increased climate change, or, as many scientists like to call it, global warming.

The only “dream” in this scenario, unfortunately, is the dream our children and grandchildren will have to live if we don’t reduce our environmental footprint by using energy more wisely and demand that our government freeze and reduce carbon dioxide emissions now. I’m sure the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion would agree.

Joe Speranzi

Spokane