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The 28th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, ended recently with a whimper. While peoples of the world are shouting, all that COP28 could come up with is a mild statement to phase out fossil fuels. Many participants are trying to put a good spin on the results, but the future reality is that islands will disappear into the oceans, shoreline cities will drown, droughts and wildfires will become more severe, and the movement of people who will be forced to leave their homes due to increased danger caused by climate craziness will intensify.
According to the International Monetary Fund Blog, the world spent a record $7 trillion last year on fossil fuel subsidies. The U.S. provides approximately $20 billion in fossil fuel subsidies annually with about 70% coming from the federal government and 30% coming from state governments. This comes as the World Meteorological Organization states that July 2023 is the hottest month on record.
Some people still might think that fossil fuels converting into greenhouse gases do not have an impact on our environment. However, most people would agree that profitable companies involved in the fossil fuel business probably do not need extra subsidies.
As many people are concerned about federal and state budgets, it seems a reasonable action to eliminate subsidies to fossil fuel companies. Perhaps that $20 billion in the U.S. could be used to support other vital interests such as land conservation and biodiversity protection.
Hopelessness about the future contributes to lack of action. But we can all be more hopeful if our tax money is used to support our environment to make it more resilient and to know that our tax money is not spent in subsidizing already-profitable companies that contribute to the climate chaos.
— Laura Davis, Inverness
PVC pipes are safe to use
A Dec. 13 op-ed, “Chicago must choose lead pipe replacement material carefully,” contains several inaccuracies about polyvinyl chloride pipes. We are in agreement that replacing lead pipes is the right call for Chicago and communities around the country, but we cannot sit idly by while someone calls PVC the “worst of the worst” of plastics.
The op-ed equates PVC with lead; yet, PVC pipes are lead-free and have been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation International for safe water delivery. The op-ed claims vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), the compound used in PVC production, leaches into water from PVC pipes and yet omits the fact that PVC pipe routinely receives a “non-detect” rating for VCM and meets requirements set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the rigorous NSF 61 standard. Further, PVC has the lowest overall failure rate when compared to cast iron, ductile iron, concrete, steel and asbestos cement pipes. PVC pipes are a proven solution for America’s water infrastructure, and their production and installation employs thousands of Americans across the country.
The same source that is cited to say “there is no safe level of exposure” to VCM also states, “Outside of occupational and industrial settings, there are no known indoor sources of vinyl chloride emissions.” VCM was identified as a hazardous material in the 1970s, but the risk workers faced then has been virtually eliminated through federal regulations and advancements in the industry’s technology and safety protocols.
U.S. manufacturers of PVC comply with some of the most stringent environmental regulations in the chemical industry, and the resulting PVC pipes have been thoroughly scrutinized. They make the grade in delivering clean water. While this op-ed peddles antiquated opinions and displays a lack of scientific understanding, we will continue to advocate for quality PVC pipes that continue to deliver clean and safe drinking water.
— Ned Monroe, president and CEO, Vinyl Institute, Washington
Rudy Giuliani a tragic case
Rudy Giuliani has had his share of critics over the years. However, his past achievements are undeniable.
Giuliani served as a high-ranking official at the Department of Justice during the Ronald Reagan administration. He later was appointed the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he successfully prosecuted high-profile organized crime and Wall Street financial figures.
As mayor of New York City, Giuliani lifted the spirits of and inspired the city — indeed the nation and the world — after 9/11. His achievements have been overshadowed because he aligned himself with Donald Trump and pursued baseless claims regarding the 2020 election. He no longer represents others but rather is represented as a defendant in court proceedings. He no longer practices law as his license has been suspended. He is the subject of late night talk show ridicule. And he faces financial ruin.
Giuliani’s downfall, while deserved, is nevertheless sad.
— Ava Holly Berland, Chicago
Blessing decree progress?
Back in 1896 in Plessy v. Ferguson, the U.S. Supreme Court enshrined second-class citizenship for Black people by ruling it was cool for the South to practice racial segregation with separate facilities for the races. The only requirement was that separate facilities had to be equal, particularly in the crucial institution of education. The white South replied, “Sure will,” to the seven justices who greenlighted the suppression of full citizenship for Black people. The South then did just the opposite, spending a pittance on rundown Black schools while lavishing white schools with the finest.
This went on for 58 years till Brown v. Board of Education began the decadeslong dismantling of legal segregation.
The Plessy v. Ferguson ruling popped to mind when I heard about Pope Francis’ widely applauded break with Catholic teaching by authorizing priestly blessing of same-sex couples. But like Plessy, he sure inserted some onerous caveats.
Chicago Tribune Opinion
Same-sex couples can now sigh with relief they will no longer be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” by priests who choose to comply with the pope. But many will still get that “exhaustive moral analysis” by priests worldwide horrified by Francis’ break with enshrined homophobia.
Francis cautioned priests not to confuse blessing same-sex couples with sanctioning same-sex marriage, not even civil unions. Blessings must not allow any gestures or clothing pertaining to a marriage. During the blessing, the word “marriage” dare not be spoken. Blessing couples without bestowing the full benefits of marriage and still considering them disordered and sinful sure is a strange way to practice the inclusiveness and commonality of peoplekind.
Francis’ blessing decree will meet much resistance from conservative clergy tied to archaic religious beliefs still centuries behind modern thinking. But it is a tiny step toward eventual first-class citizenship for gay Catholics. Alas, at the glacial pace at which the Catholic Church modernizes, it’s possible none of present-day same-sex couples will be around by the time married gay priests, men and women, can perform their same-sex marriages.
— Walt Zlotow, Glen Ellyn
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