When I voted earlier this month, I voted on one issue more than any other: drastic action on climate change and the environment.
Although the candidates largely side-stepped this issue because it has fallen victim to “identity politics,” climate change is affecting all of us. Climate change doesn’t care what party we’re affiliated with. Climate change doesn’t care if we believe in it or not.
Climate change is happening because of carbon and methane emissions caused by modern man, and only modern man can fix this problem.
Environmental scientists have been sounding the alarm for decades, and I trust them, because they have developed expertise through education and research. I trust them for the same reason I would trust only a cardiac surgeon to perform open-heart surgery, not a politician, a neighbor, or some podcaster or social media “influencer.”
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The oceans are warming and the poles are melting, and extreme weather events have increased greatly. If for no other reason than the economics of paying for nonstop catastrophes and of rising insurance rates, let’s band together to solve this problem through solutions like carbon fees, reforestation, renewable energy and permitting reform.
We need to let our legislators know this is a top priority for us, and we need to keep reminding them with phone calls and letters.
We need the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enforce more regulations, not fewer, because, without regulation, corporations will prioritize short-term profits before long-term environmental solutions, as we have seen with the oil companies.
As a new presidential administration enters that may dismantle the advances the Biden administration had made on mitigating climate change, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, we need to fight harder than ever to save our beautiful and life-sustaining planet.
Francesca Kelly, Highland Park
Pay attention, Mr. Mayor
Dear Mayor Cool Dad: Sometimes voters say and do things to get a politician’s attention. Your low approval rating is on the table. Like a child staring out the window in a Chicago Public Schools class, you’re still not paying attention.
Paul Koehler, Rogers Park
Bear up: ‘Not one single penny’
Just last month Forbes Magazine published a listing of NFL franchise values. In that report, the Chicago Bears were ninth, valued at $6.4 billion.
It is important to remember the McCaskey family inherited their 80% stake in the team, therefore it basically cost them not a darn thing. It also means if they wanted $2 billion to build a new stadium, banks all over the country would be beating down their doors to offer them a loan.
It is clear Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is of the right mind and Mayor Brandon Johnson isn’t with regard to the concept of public money for a new Bears stadium.
The team doesn’t need one single penny from any government entity to build their stadium, and that is exactly the amount they should be given. Maybe to grease the skids, though, we can offer them a property tax rebate with every Super Bowl victory.
Don Anderson, Oak Park
Illinois’ partnership with Taiwan is an asset
Taiwan and Illinois share a strong and growing partnership, particularly in the areas of clean energy, technology and public safety. Taiwan is committed to mitigating climate impacts through its ambitious goals, including a 2050 net-zero emissions target and the establishment of a carbon fee system set to take effect in 2025.
With Taiwan’s focus on accelerating renewable energy development, including wind power, geothermal, hydrogen and ocean energy, along with innovative green technologies, Taiwan is a key player in global efforts to address climate change.
As a leader in clean energy, Illinois’ expertise in renewable technologies perfectly complements Taiwan’s vision, and together, they can create significant opportunities to advance sustainable practices worldwide.
Taiwan’s commitment to climate action aligns with international frameworks like the Paris Agreement, while Illinois’ leadership in green energy innovation will strengthen their mutual contributions. Taiwan’s participation in the the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is essential for both Taiwan and Illinois to share their knowledge and accelerate global efforts to combat climate change.
Similarly, Taiwan’s law enforcement capabilities play a critical role in combating transnational crime, including human trafficking, cyberattacks and drug trafficking. Nevertheless, Taiwan’s exclusion from INTERPOL limits its ability to fully cooperate in international law enforcement.
Illinois, with its expertise in security and public safety, stands to benefit from deeper cooperation with Taiwan to address global threats. By supporting Taiwan’s inclusion in both the UNFCCC and INTERPOL frameworks, Illinois can help strengthen global security, foster innovation and contribute to a safer, more sustainable world for all.
Dennis Yen-Feng Lei, director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Chicago
Rocky’s ringside fumble
Did anyone hear Sylvester Stallone praise Donald Trump last week, describing the president-elect as “the second George Washington!” Ahem! No matter what you feel about Trump, is anyone wondering if Stallone got hit in the head too many times rehearsing his Rocky films? What’s next? Trump asking Stallone if he wants to head the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. BOOM!!!
Lou DeRosa Jr., Westchester