Letters: April 19

Letters: April 19 : Letters to the Editor : Knoxville News Sentinel

Cal Thomas is loved and respected by people throughout Tennessee.

But his recent column (March 28) marginalizes people concerned about climate change as foolish
"fundamentalists" and "apostles," showing he's confused about the issue and about people of faith.

In fact, people of faith and faith community leaders are being moved to action on climate change by our moral
obligation to serve the most vulnerable among us and be responsible stewards.

We can't in good conscience ignore the humanitarian crises that climate change is predicted to bring. The vast
majority of the world's scientists say these crises will include more extreme floods, droughts and warmer, drier
conditions that can lead to more frequent wildfires and increased spread of disease.

Estimates agreed to by the vast majority of the world's climate scientists and governments say that average
temperatures in Tennessee could rise about 6.75 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100 if climate change continues
unchecked.

The average annual low temperature in Tennessee has risen by 10 degrees between 1990 and 2006.

People of faith who care about our neighbors and the future we help shape for our children are willing to speak
up and reach out to care for God's creation. Whether it's promoting conservation and energy efficiency in our
places of worship or simply speaking out on the need for action on climate change, people of faith are finding
ways to lead, just as they have on critical moral issues so many times in the past.

Many of us believe that loving God means loving and caring for God's creation. Denying scientists' observations
and disparaging others' values, as Thomas did, won't get us anywhere.

Doug Hunt

Knoxville

State Director

Tennessee Interfaith

Power & Light

We ignore warming evidence at our peril

Cal Thomas indicated we should ignore mounting scientific evidence and delay action on climate change.

With the worldwide economy now in serious disarray, we should be following the lead of those who are bucking
the downturn - companies that are cornering the market in energy efficiency and sustainable energy are the ones
making money while others are losing it.

As a business leader in a state that is already investing in a clean energy future, I do not see how ignoring
evidence long since accepted by the top scientific minds in the world will help our economy or environment.

Already, Tennessee's commitment to leadership in the renewable energy sector has attracted billions - more than
$2.5 billion in new capital and more than 1,000 new jobs in the past year.

Meanwhile, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is engaged in cutting-edge research to reduce residential and
commercial energy consumption. This is the kind of innovation that will boost the bottom line for Tennessee
companies and attract new businesses looking to improve their position in a global economy increasingly