Dear Editor

Gulfport’s suit against Barnesville (TimesLeader, March 19) demonstrates one of many negative consequences of fracking: it uses water unsustainably at a time when fresh water shortages and water disputes are increasingly common nationwide. The water Gulfport buys comes from a reservoir that supplies residents in Barnesville and neighboring areas, and last year there was not enough to go around. It may have been a freakish year, but with current trends in water use and climate-related changes in precipitation patterns it is more likely a sign of things to come, as Ohio’s burgeoning petroleum industry makes increasing demands on a limited resource.

Accidents, earthquakes, polluted water, illness, and damaged ecosystems are other negative consequences of fracking. My adopted state of Wisconsin is not immune to the ravages of fracking even though we do not rest on a gas shale deposit. We are being recklessly strip mined for frac sand from north to south and east to west. Some of that sand probably goes to Ohio, where I was born and raised.

Furthermore, production and use of shale gas perpetuates our fossil fuelbased energy system, which must be phased out if we hope to rein in disruption of the climate that supports us. Biofuels, wind, and solar and geothermal energy can supply our needs many times over, and forever. There are new jobs and economic benefits to be had in sustainable energy technologies, and they would be accompanied by an end to the environmental destruction and public health problems associated with fossil fuels.

Transition to sustainable energy rapid enough to meet targets for reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in time to avoid the worst effects of climate disruption could be spurred by a tax on carbon.

Such a tax, with all revenue returned to taxpayers to compensate for temporarily increased energy prices, has been proposed by Citizens Climate Lobby and its benefits confirmed in an independent analysis by Regional Economic Models Inc. The plan has stimulated considerable interest in Congress, although for political reasons some Congressmen express support strictly off the record.

The majority of Americans now believe that something should be done about climate change, but action is blocked by the greedy and short-sighted energy industries and the politicians who are paid to do their bidding. However, the window of opportunity for effective action is closing.

The clock is ticking.

Carol Steinhart

Madison,?Wisc.