In response to “Migrants’ carbon footprint” (Pulse, Dec. 26):

Indeed, the liberal left does want to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but so do conservatives. Climate change is an equal opportunity crisis. The liberal left is not pushing for massive migration of those in the Third World to First World countries, simply that we provide refuge for these people when they seek it.

It would be far preferable for all to recognize that dire poverty, gang violence and unstable governments are pushing these migrants from their homes, and that the ideal solution would be to address these issues, so they would not feel the need to migrate away from their homes.

It’s a red herring argument to pit the needs of the most impoverished and imperiled against the needs of the climate. Let’s look for eloquent solutions that solve the problems of both people and the planet, instead of parsing partisan ideas to make oversimplified arguments.

Furthermore, if coming to a First World country means your carbon footprint will increase, then it is incumbent on the First World to reduce its carbon footprint.

Lisa Kammerer, Omaha

From the Omaha World Herald, December 29, 2018

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/11/scientist_kevin_anderson_worlds_biggest_emitters

The 24th United Nations climate summit comes amid growing warnings about the catastrophic danger climate change poses to the world.

In October, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that humanity has only a dozen years to mitigate climate change or face global catastrophe—with severe droughts, floods, sea level rise and extreme heat set to cause mass displacement and poverty.

But on Saturday, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Kuwait blocked language “welcoming” the landmark IPCC climate report.

New studies show global carbon emissions may have risen as much 3.7 percent in 2018, marking the second annual increase in a row. A recent report likened the rising emissions to a “speeding freight train.”

We speak with Kevin Anderson, professor in climate change leadership at Uppsala University’s Centre for Environment and Development Studies, and 15-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg about the drastic action needed to fight climate change and the impact of President Trump on climate change activism.

See the Interview here:

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/11/scientist_kevin_anderson_worlds_biggest_emitters

From the Associated Press, December 8, 2018

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Yale University police have arrested 48 people who were protesting the Ivy League school’s investments in fossil fuel companies and its Puerto Rico debt holdings.

The arrests came during a sit-in demonstration Friday inside Yale’s investment office as more than 300 students and community members rallied outside the building.

Protesters demanded Yale divest endowment funds from fossil fuel companies because of concerns about climate change. They also said they wanted Yale to cancel its holdings in a fund that holds some of Puerto Rico’s massive debt and is suing the U.S. territory to be paid while the island still struggles to recover from hurricane damage.

Yale officials say a school committee has previously addressed concerns about fossil fuel investments and Puerto Rican debt, but that they support student freedom of expression.

https://www.apnews.com/01897be879c14e21bbefb6f8586291bb