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The City of Lander leaders clambered over themselves to board the climate crises train to nowhere by passing a “greenhouse emissions reduction” resolution envisioning a 20% reduction from municipal operations by 2023; a 50% reduction by 2040; and an 80% reduction by 2050. (Katie Roenigk, County 10, March 14, 2024)
Is this genuine or is this a grift to, as Council Member Missy White states, “. . . make our grant applications more competitive . . .”? Mind you, any grant application under this resolution cannot be used for something useful, like rebuilding a street and the infrastructure beneath it, because asphalt and PVC sewer and water lines are products of the fossil fuel industry.
The real test of our leaders’ commitment to reducing greenhouse emissions will present itself this 4th of July. According to Jessica Han, of Global Commons, (Earth.org) research has shown that discharging fireworks produces toxic atmospheric pollutants including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, nitric oxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, which contribute to climate change. Look at all those oxides! Fireworks activity also results in changes in air temperature, humidity, air visibility, and other factors. Particulate pollution, known as toxic haze, is considered the most hazardous air pollutant affecting people’s lungs and heart, along with causing environmental damage. We have all seen that thick, acrid haze hanging over Lander on the 4th of July, especially during the night when that heavy “air” lays low over neighborhoods after 14+ hours of fireworks discharge.
Will our leaders walk the walk and suspend fireworks this year after making such a commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions? Or will they just talk the talk of the climate alarmists?
What happens on the 4th of July should be the determining factor in how you vote.
Kathleen Averill
Lander