The SW Colorado Group Sierra Club submits this letter March 23, World Climate Day, as a warm, dry winter transitions into a hot, dry spring, and we are all faced with the frightening impacts of the climate crisis.
The Colorado River is in dire straits with no solution in sight. Both the upper and lower basin users will have to make sacrifices. From wildfire to unprecedented precipitation and flood threats to their homes, properties and livelihood, our communities are changing drastically.
Piñon trees in the piñon-juniper forest are under extreme stress. The small ones that survive are not getting enough water to grow, impacting our forests of tomorrow. Our beloved wildflowers can’t escape either. This is beyond drought – it is a climate crisis, which is more than evident across the San Juans.
Nevertheless, there is good news. Colorado and Durango have set needed goals for emission reductions. Electric and hybrid vehicle sales in Colorado are more than twice the national average. Rapidly advancing solar and wind power technologies have made clean energy now cheaper than fossil fuels.
What actions can you take? Let’s all encourage our city, county and state leaders to prioritize reaching climate goals now. Let’s all adjust our energy sources and consumer habits. We can restore healthy communities and lands to pass on to our children and grandchildren. Please support Colorado’s Green Amendment and vote for candidates for the LPEA board that support renewable energy and sustainable policies.
Mary K. Grayson and Dan King
Ignacio