LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Alternate energy working

2/3/2014

After getting over the negative connotation of the headline of an article on The Blade’s Web site on Jan. 13, “U.S. carbon emissions rise by 2 percent in 2013 after years of decline, Energy Department says,” I was impressed to learn that the nation has achieved more than half of President Obama’s goal to reduce carbon emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.

By continuing to develop and install sources of energy that are cleaner than coal-fired power plants, we can reach that goal. We will have cleaner air and decrease the number of children and adults who develop asthma and other serious health problems that are related to carbon-dioxide pollution.

In northwest Ohio, I notice more solar panels, wind turbines, and outlets in public parking lots for recharging electric cars.

The charging stations at the Toledo Museum of Art are powered by its parking lot’s solar panels. They also keep summer sun and winter snow off cars parked there — a multiple benefit of the installation.

DEBBIE PERLMUTTER
Sylvania Township

Politicians must focus on climate
Political leaders should stand by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and try to reduce carbon emissions across the board. I do not understand why all leaders are not focusing on this issue.

Climate change is a health issue for humans and the environment. Oceans are rising because increasing temperatures from carbon in the atmosphere are melting the polar ice caps.

I am glad that our nation is trying to resolve the carbon pollution problem. Better late than never.

MANDI CARON
Genoa

 

Buckeye-Sinclair rift is childish
It’s time Buckeye CableSystem, WNWO, and Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. grew up and settled their childish dispute (“Buckeye offers viewers credit; Cable company, broadcast firm continue talks over Channel 24,” Jan. 16).

Buckeye should pay the fee increase that Sinclair is demanding and pass the cost on to its subscribers if it thinks that’s necessary. But just get on with it. Buckeye has taken TV broadcasting back to the dark ages by making rabbit ears necessary to get Channel 24.

No matter that it is a low-rated and apparently low-demand channel, many of us have favorite programming on our local NBC affiliate. The entire situation — on all sides — is nonsensical.

GENE CURTIS
Branch Drive

 

Here’s another overlooked group
In response to your Jan. 19 article “Arabs, others feel overlooked, undercounted”: No other group in the United States is more overlooked or undercounted than the conservative, Christian black male.

FRED BERNHEISEL
Swanton