Take climate crisis seriously

In 2013, America can finally take the climate crisis seriously if President Barack Obama and his administration roll up their sleeves. Federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy can do more to hold fossil-fuel corporations accountable for their pollution, double down on clean energy, and prepare communities to withstand future climate and extreme-weather disasters.

Obama showed great leadership in his first term by improving fuel efficiency standards for cars. I want to see the Obama administration do more to combat climate disruption and to expand the country’s use of clean energy. Here in Cheney, we are especially concerned about noise pollution, air pollution, blocked train crossings, and the potential for forest fires and derailments due to trains transporting Montana coal to China through our beautiful college town.

Now is the time for Obama to secure his legacy as a climate leader, using administrative actions to keep our country’s land, water, air and natural resources intact and free from fossil-fuel pollution so our children will have a safer, healthier planet.

Nancy Street

Cheney