Thanks for the informative and very readable article on the everyday work our state Department of Natural Resources does to manage our forests (“After Oso slide, with old growth in peril, timber sales go under microscope,” The Herald, June 1). This is important work and it’s encouraging to know that there are dedicated staff that take this seriously and know their stuff. It makes me optimistic future generations will benefit from such collective stewardship of our natural resources.
A global problem that affects that work is, of course, climate change. It is primarily caused by increasing fossil fuel burning over hundreds of years. The power generated has been an undeniable benefit to all, but now we understand it wasn’t free of consequence. I appreciate the urgency Paul Roberts expresses in his “Eco-nomics” columns, but the overall impression of impending doom often conveyed is, I suspect, not helpful.
Yes, we need to take more action, but many may just as easily respond with “why bother, we’re screwed!” In the most recent column he notes if we continue “business as usual” any number of bad outcomes results. Our state, however, as well as the country, and much of the world, has made enormous progress in deploying cost-effective solar and wind energy sources to replace coal and oil burning sources.
The world may have already reached peak fossil fuel consumption. Further reliance on them is only accelerating, if we continue with “business as usual.” That, I think, is the real story that should be told.
Give us hope that we know what to do and are doing it, as with managing forests, and we’ll redouble our efforts to ensure success.
Christian Saether
Edmonds
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
