To the editor,

Question? What is it that protects all life on Earth? With it, there is life; without it there is no life.

Answer: Earth’s atmosphere.

Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, we have been significantly changing our atmosphere.

Before the Industrial Revolution it was in balance. Mammals exhale CO2 and plants use the CO2 and respire oxygen for us.

Since the burning of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas CO2 has increased from 280ppm to 428ppm now.

Methane has increased 2.5 times. Others are water vapor and nitrous oxide plus other chemicals we add. These molecules trap heat by absorbing infrared radiation emitted by Earth.

So climate change is not a hoax, it’s daily measurements on tallest mountains and satellites of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels by us humans.

Big Oil, gas and Big Agriculture are working together to use public money to install manure digesters. Turns out NOT TO BE “green energy” but “GREENWASHING,” more methane, CO2, nitrous oxide and ammonia.

There are not enough inspectors of these leaky systems in Wisconsin. The digestate put on fields has increased concentrations of nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, antibiotic residue and hormones hazardous to drinking water and health. This is about to happen in Pierce County. The means to maintain a healthy environment for all of us is a reasonable request!

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE HEALTHCARE CUTS, cutting information, research including on contaminants in water soil and us, public health programs. Look at Senate and house proposals for cuts in health insurance.

Special information: The American Academy of Pediatrics has published research showing that toxins released from burning fossil fuels affects brain development of fetuses and young children. How long would car passengers live if exhaust was piped into the car?

So, what to do right here? Act as a community to protect ourselves from more harm, support Public Health at the county and state level, support state health programs FORWARD!

Wendy Dart

Maiden Rock