CLIMATE: The quest for balance

In response to Mr. Hunt (Oct. 16), who asks, “Why is it so hard to accept that the sun is the primary driver” [to climate change]? It’s because many scientists have looked at the data for decades and not found the data to be that simplistic.

While variations in solar output have some effect on climate, it’s not just the sun that matters. The Earth’s climate is a result of many complicated interacting processes. There are positive and negative feedback loops which make the system dynamic and complex.

The important point, as Mr. Hunt acknowledges, is that the Earth’s climate goes through cycles, that it can change dramatically. So the only question left is whether humans can affect some of these natural processes in a shorter time frame.

Has not the smog in large cities made you think otherwise? Has not the haze and odor of a town with an industrial plant made you think? Have not rivers so polluted to be dangerous made you accept our effect on our environment?

Fishermen have learned that we can deplete stocks of desirable fish in the “vast” ocean. It did not take long for the West to be nearly depleted of the vast herds of bison.

So why is it so hard to believe with billions of people on this planet, and with the large scale farming and industry going on day in and day out, that people can significantly add to the atmosphere’s composition?

Before blaming liberals for these concerns, put your obvious emotions aside, look hard at the facts and look up the American Conservative Coalition (among others) for a balanced approach.

JAMES FILLMORE

Coeur d’Alene