Letters: Climate change is still our greatest threat; More Dems should condemn Lafer remarks

Climate change is still our greatest threat

As we deal with COVID, economic inequalities and nationalistic divides, we must not lose sight of our greatest threat, the overheating of the Earth through human-induced climate change.

Massive global heating is caused by the use of fossil carbon fuels, however we must look further into why we use so much fossil fuel.

Our problems are caused by consumptive capitalism and the notion that growth equals success. However, true success in nature is based on a stable system in equilibrium.

Rapid, unchecked growth leads to cataclysmic population crashes and extinction of populations. Unfortunately we humans are conducting such an experiment willy nilly on the entire planet, dragging all of the known life in the universe into the test tube with us.

The unchecked system of consumerism and human population growth leads to a barren planet and the sixth great mass extinction.

Fortunately there are paths to reverse our headlong rush to disaster.

Transition to renewable energies and elimination of fossil subsidies will create high-paying jobs and revive crashing economies.

France is constructing a working fusion reactor as a clean energy source. The USA should also move forward with construction of fusion reactors to supply clean, efficient and unlimited power to our industries, businesses and citizens.

We must rethink our human trajectory and consider the future of all life on Earth. Let us face the fact that the deepest root cause of many of our problems is greed.

More Dems should condemn Lafer remarks

Brooklynn Wingert’s anti-mask letter warrants criticism (and perhaps a reverse-boycott of Wingert General Contracting services), but as someone who lost family in the Holocaust I take exception to Councilwoman Lafer’s labeling her a “new order Nazi.” Don’t be fooled: others who have crossed Ms. Lafer include students, visitors and basically anyone not blindly defending prerogatives of affluent white long-time residents. Progressive Democrats should join Mayor Filippelli in censuring Lafer and making sure she is not representing our party in the future, and should demand local party leaders (Centre County Democratic Committee Chair Greg Stewart, State College Borough Democrats Chair Paul Hallacher, this means you!) take action to make clear that her approach is not what we stand for. Sadly, there are indeed dangerous “new order Nazis” around these days, who become a greater threat when we lump them in with misguided fellow citizens with whom we disagree.

Joe Waltz will fight for internet

With the spread of COVID-19 nationwide, our students have been reduced to online classes on the computer, and business through the country is being done through broadband internet. That has put a spotlight on the lack of reliable, broadband internet in our area. This is a crisis for our citizens, as reliable, fast internet is as important as utilities like electric and water for the economic health of this region.

The development of an available, affordable, reliable internet connection brings the opportunities of a larger region to all our students. It levels the playing field for children who need additional tutoring or special education. Advanced classes in language, science or mathematics become available for our students.

A stable, reliable and affordable internet system makes our small towns more attractive not only to individuals who wish to live here and work remotely, but also for companies of all sizes to locate here. We have a good supply of underutilized properties for new businesses to grow and we have people who need new opportunities. HR 2348, a bill designed to begin to address this need in the commonwealth, with preference given to areas that do not have broadband internet. It passed the House unanimously and is now in the state Senate.

Joe Waltz is a candidate that understands the importance of internet to the citizens of the 76th District. He speaks often about this issue and he would work hard for broadband internet throughout our region.