Letter to the editor: 100% renewable energy

Have you ever seen a starfish? I have, and I hope one day I can take my kids to the beach and they can see one, too. However, these fascinating creatures’ habitat is being threatened by climate change.

Climate change is largely fueled by dirty polluters that consume an insane amount of fossil fuels and contaminate the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the places we call home.

On June 19, I joined hundreds of other concerned constituents to advocate for a clean and healthier future at PennEnvironment’s 100% Renewable Energy Lobby Day in Harrisburg. We rallied in support of House Bill 1425/Senate Bill 630, bipartisan legislation awaiting action in the Pennsylvania General Assembly that would require the commonwealth to achieve 100% renwable energy by 2050. In order to stop pollution and in turn climate change, we have to replace our sources of energy with things like solar panels and wind turbines.

In Pittsburgh, climate change will increase the likelihood and scope of flooding and landslides. Who wants to live with that threat looming over their head?

Mandy Hooks

Oakland

The writer is an intern with PennEnvironment (www.pennenvironment.org).