Putting Fossil Fuels First, the Planet Second

Readers criticize a climate adviser’s comment that economics trumps “environmental sustainability” and discuss Russia and Saudi Arabia’s alliance with the U.S. on global warming.

Dec. 14, 2018

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A protester at the United Nations climate talks in Katowice, Poland, on Monday.CreditCreditKarolina Jonderko for The New York Times

To the Editor:

Re “Trump Has Allies on Fossil Fuels” (front page, Dec. 11):

President Trump’s climate adviser, Wells Griffith, clarified something important on Monday during climate talks in Poland. It’s not that he and his ilk don’t get the dangers of heating up the planet to the breaking point. They just don’t care.

“We strongly believe that no country should have to sacrifice their economic prosperity or energy security in pursuit of environmental sustainability,” Mr. Griffith said. Whatever they want, they see as fair game. And therein lies the danger of this greedy and reckless administration.

Amy Knitzer
Montclair, N.J.

To the Editor:

Re “Scientists Warn of a ‘Rapid Unraveling’ of the Arctic” (news article, Dec. 12):

How many more carefully researched reports will need to be released before we finally act in a substantive way to protect our only home, planet Earth? Politicians may choose to ignore these findings, as most Republicans will, but nature won’t stop changing just because these dire warnings are dismissed.

Although I do all I can to reduce my carbon footprint, this is not nearly enough to protect my family and community from the effects of climate change. We need the help of courageous political leaders to address climate change before it’s too late. Laws need to be enacted now to reduce our energy use and protect us from the ravages of rising seas, increased temperatures and more intense storms.

Edwin Andrews
Malden, Mass.

To the Editor:

President Trump has tweeted his support for ending the Paris climate agreement and tied it to the anti-fuel-tax riots in Paris by the Yellow Vests. The United States was joined by Russia, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in refusing to welcome a United Nations report on the urgency of slowing global warming at the climate summit in Poland. It is time to connect the dots.

Mr. Trump’s election was aided by Russian interference, and he is unperturbed by murder committed by the Saudi government. Russia and Saudi Arabia are among the world’s largest exporters of petroleum. Success of the Paris agreement threatens to strand assets that Mr. Trump’s “oilgarch” friends intend to monetize.

Among Mr. Trump’s few consistent policies have been his attacks on measures to address climate change. He has opened wilderness and offshore areas for exploration, is reversing fuel efficiency and emission standards, and is trying to resuscitate coal. His opposition to the Paris agreement smells like a quid pro quo for the gift of the presidency from Vladimir Putin.

The French need a climate policy that does not victimize those least able to pay. Americans need a climate policy that will protect future generations.

James Charles Wilson
Golden, Colo.
The writer is a professor of mechanical and materials engineering at the University of Denver who does research in the atmospheric sciences.