November 17, 2021 | Columbus Dispatch
Governments need to leave the U.N. climate talks with a clear commitment to keep all remaining fossil fuels in the ground ASAP to avoid climate catastrophe, as climate scientists have long warned. Burning oil, coal and gas is the number one contributor to the climate emergency.
I applaud Rep. Joyce Beatty’s 95% League of Conservation Voters 2020 voting record on environmental issues, including climate change-related legislation
Preventing real progress on climate legislation are fossil fuel corporations. Their power originates from Supreme Court decisions giving them never-intended constitutional rights: First Amendment “free speech” rights to spend money influencing elections and policies, Fourth Amendment “privacy” rights preventing public inspections to protect communities and the environment and Fifth Amendment “takings” rights that represent a massive deterrent to keeping fossil fuels in the ground since trillions of dollars of “lost future profits” that would have to be compensated.
That’s why HJR 48, the We the People Amendment, is the fundamental solution. It would abolish all corporate constitutional rights, ensuring that the rights of people and the right to a livable world are achievable.
If Rep. Beatty is serious about saving the climate, workers and communities, she will join the 80 other Congressional co-sponsors of HJR48.
Sandy Bolzenius, Columbus
