On Saturday, Nov. 5, the Sun Journal carried a letter from Tom Harris, executive director, International Climate Science Coalition. Stunningly, he denied man-made climate change. I Googled his organization and found that he had previously worked for the tobacco industry, denying the harmful effects of smoking, that he has a master’s degree in English (but no scientific background) and the organization exists to deny climate change. Apparently, vested interests are willing to pay well for that sort of deceit.

Climate change means more than a milder winter; it brings rising sea levels (up to a foot in the next 15 years), changes in the forests and the loss of the maple sugar industry, ocean acidification that will make it difficult for mollusks to grow shells, while lobsters scurry north for colder water, and winter sports disappear. There will be droughts and forest fires, followed by periods of intense storms and flooding and reduced agricultural productivity.

While this will happen already, we can reduce the damage for future generations if everyone commits to using less fossil fuels. The economic savings in energy efficiency for cars, homes, businesses, schools and municipalities are enormous. The city of Lewiston took a strong lead in that, and it is using the methane from the city’s landfill to generate power, rather than pollute.

People can do more and be better off financially as a result, while providing the best world possible for generations to come. Who doesn’t want that for their grandchildren?

Jim Wellehan, Auburn