Future generations depend on fossil fuel reserves in the ground

Assuming that they survive, how will our great-great-grandchildren look back on the message from Gov. Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott in their March 20th My Turn titled “The time for a conversation on climate and development is now”?

They say they are committed to dealing with climate change and they speak to meeting their responsibilities to future generations. But then they say that “the state will continue to be an energy producer as long as there is a market for fossil fuels.” Isn’t that like the tobacco companies saying they are concerned about cancer, but will continue to make cigarettes as long as people will buy them? Sort of, except the state is responsible for the safety and welfare of its people. The safety and welfare of future generations depends on leaving the majority of known fossil fuel reserves in the ground. The Governor’s Climate Action Team surely knows this.

Doug Woodby,

Juneau