To the Editor:
There is much that can be debated about Mr. Monterosso’s May 18 letter (“Scrap Paris Accord to fix climate change”). As an atmospheric chemist working with NASA in the Atlantic and the Arctic earlier this year, I am doing the kind of basic research that challenges, informs, and improves the computer models that he vilifies … and yes — it is important work. Unfortunately, due to institutional pressures from climate denialists like the letter writer, we are looking to use more of our precious research resources chasing diminishing funding, rather than focusing on the scientific research itself. This only slows the process, not improves it.
Yes, the Paris agreement is not perfect — partly because the U.S. has been dragging its feet. Much more needs to be done. Earth-system computer models are not perfect either — this is why we continue to do research. But the Paris Agreement is the first international climate agreement to include commitments from developed and developing nations to tackle climate change.
On May 17, our Republican governor, Charlie Baker, in conjunction with fellow Republican Governor Phil Scott of Vermont, released a strongly worded joint letter to the federal government. The letter states, “The impacts of climate change have already been felt in our states. We have seen the impacts of rising sea levels, increasingly severe flooding, heat waves, droughts, and decline in snow cover. These impacts threaten the people of our states and put an intense burden on our economies.” On the Island of Martha’s Vineyard, we are aware of our vulnerability to the impacts of climate change as we experience stronger storm surges and routine flooding, as well as the negative effects of warming and acidifying ocean waters on our fish and shellfish stocks.
Governors Baker and Scott also state, “There are shared costs that need to be addressed to cut carbon pollution, but we have also proven we can do it in a way that creates jobs, makes our states more competitive, and makes us leaders in the clean energy economy. These benefits can and should accrue to all Americans.” Many other governors around the country have done the same.
In addition, legislation with broad bipartisan support has been filed in the commonwealth, including Bill H.3564, which would designate Massachusetts as a non-party stakeholder to the Paris Agreement, ensuring that our state continues our commitment to meet or exceed the international guidelines set forth in the Paris Agreement.
Regardless of the rhetoric and the blatantly partisan study (mis)quoted by Mr. Monterosso, the hard science does not support his stand that we can sit back and wait to act. Our state leadership is making it clear they will not endanger the well-being of our future, or the economy of Massachusetts.
Further, the Woods Hole Research Center, headed by Phil Duffy, Ph.D., is right across the water from us, and happens to be rated the top climate-research think tank in the world. If readers would like accurate scientific data on climate change, and specific info on local coastal implications for our region, WHRC’s website is whrc.org.
There are inconceivably large costs to us all if we continue to do nothing substantive while using our atmosphere, oceans, and biosphere as a “free” carbon dumping ground.
Nicole J. Blake, Ph.D.
West Tisbury
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