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Letters: Move away from coal to stabilize the climate

The story "Amid growth of renewables, coal fights to keep its share" (Sunday) failed to emphasize that unless we rapidly move from coal to renewable energy, we risk destabilizing the Earth's climate.

The story "Amid growth of renewables, coal fights to keep its share" (Sunday) failed to emphasize that unless we rapidly move from coal to renewable energy, we risk destabilizing the Earth's climate.

That climate change is real and caused by man is supported by the most respected scientific institutions in the world. Most scientists believe that climate change, if left unchecked, will increase flooding and droughts, the incidence of infectious diseases, the intensity of extreme storms, the sea level between 7.1 and 23. 2 inches, and the Earth's surface temperatures between 1.1 and 6.4 degrees Celsius. It will also diminish water supplies for millions of people.

Coal is a major contributor to the climate-change problem, and its burning emits large quantities of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Fifty-three percent of the electricity generated in Pennsylvania comes from coal, and the state emits a full 1 percent of the world's greenhouse gases.

I will soon be reintroducing legislation that would require 20 percent of Pennsylvania's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2025. Currently, the requirements are 8 percent by 2020.

State Rep. Greg Vitali

House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee

Harrisburg

GVitali@pahouse.net