All tagged 2019/12

Valuing human life in the face of climate change

Valuing human life in the face of climate change

Jill Bennett Gaieski, JD, PhD
To The Editor

In his recent Letter to the Editor, ‘A sad fact of life’ (12/6), Jim Riviello contends that “Carbon dioxide levels have nothing to do with the rising temperatures,” relying instead on contrarian climate research that blames “Anything But Carbon (ABC)” — here, banned CFCs causing “fluctuations of the sun” — for our planet’s woes. By doing so, he rejects numerous, validated studies demonstrating that emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gasses from fossil fuel combustion are the drivers of climate change at rates never before seen. What I find most disturbing about Mr. Riviello’s piece, however, is the way he appears to so easily jettison those most impacted by climate change.

Music for patients

Music for patients

Sue Hunt
To The Editor

Just Roses (Annie Fetter, Cindy Chadderdon, Nikki Hansen, and Sue Hunt) want to thank all who came out Saturday night to support their annual benefit concert at waR3house3 for Musicians on Call. A total of $400 was raised to support this amazing program which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. 

Thanks to all who brought the holidays home

Thanks to all who brought the holidays home

Sharon Mester
To The Editor

Last Saturday morning brought elves, reindeer, wrapped packages, Santas, grinches, and a sugar plum fairy running through our streets, culminating that evening with hot chocolate at the fire station following Santa’s arrival by train from Philly. In between, there were carriage rides, musical entertainment, dreidel games, a Kwanzaa celebration, a book signing, s’mores, and much more.

A lifeline in the face of the climate crisis

A lifeline in the face of the climate crisis

Ann Sinclair & Francesa Richardson
To The Editor

We have grown up hearing the words “climate change,” learning about carbon emissions and greenhouse gases in our science classes, and watching the sea levels rise. We have also seen the effects of the climate crisis devastate communities around the world. Thousands of people, many in marginalized groups, have suffered and will continue to suffer from environmental injustice, pollution, and climate change. This is a reality now, not a future problem. There is no time to waste. As young people scared for our futures, the Green New Deal gives us hope.

Christmas postcards from a distant past

Christmas postcards from a distant past

Maresa Torregrossa Mahoney
To The Community

There is a special place where the Magic of Swarthmore meets the Magic of Christmas. Every other year, in our small college town tucked away at the southern end of Delaware County, anonymous members of the Swarthmore community produce, fund, and perform the Pageant of the Nativity the Saturday before Christmas in the Lang Music Building on the Swarthmore College campus.

Out of the mall, into the park

Out of the mall, into the park

Susan Kelly
To The Editor

When Ines Rodriguez approached me about planning a workday in Little Crum Creek Park on Black Friday, I thought, Well, that sounds like a wacky idea for this time of year, but why not? Let’s get people outside and away from the malls. Ines was inspired by REI Co-op’s annual #OptOutside campaign, when they close their doors on Black Friday and encourage their employees and members to enjoy the great outdoors instead of stores. Ines and I quickly created a Facebook event, posted on Nextdoor Swarthmore, and sent some information to The Swarthmorean. We were committed! But we were still unsure anyone would actually show up.

‘A sad fact of life’

‘A sad fact of life’

Jim Riviello
To The Editor

The idea we need to reduce carbon dioxide is a lie perpetuated by globalists who are looking to establish a one-world government. Government is best kept as local as possible to ensure the most freedom and liberty. We have seven billion people on this planet and the number is growing. Eventually, billions of humans will be wiped out by natural disasters caused by global warming. This is a sad fact of life. Get over it, you cannot save everyone. Live the best life you can and enjoy your time.

Climate change and cognitive bias

Climate change and cognitive bias

Ken Derow
To The Editor

While the signs of climate change are now emerging, too many people still see it as a vague, remote event that may or may not occur, not as a process that is currently underway. These people view the immense expense needed to combat the crisis only as an unnecessary cost, not as an investment to assure our future well-being.