Concerns over continued heating of our planet and the associated melting of Antarctic ice (“A rapidly melting Antarctica gets the attention of UN chief ahead of COP28 climate talks,” Nov. 24, TribLive) should rightly be first and foremost at the upcoming talks. With world temperatures having briefly passed the threshold of a rise of more than 2 degrees Celsius, the message couldn’t be more clear — we need to act decisively and soon.

Fortunately, steps taken recently through the significant investments in the Inflation Reduction Act move us in the right direction. New incentives for electrification point the path to a future based on renewable energy and not on fossil fuels. President Joe Biden must work with the U.S. delegation to bring this message to COP28, while changing course on dangerous projects such as the planned Willow drilling in Alaska. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman must work with their colleagues to make the economic and environmental case for accelerating the transition to a cleaner energy future.

Harry Hochheiser

Squirrel Hill

Harry Hochheiser is a member of the Pittsburgh chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby.

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