To the editor:
In June, Bruce Poliquin voted to block the Department of Defense from preparing for the global problem of climate change. This vote came despite the military’s multi-year initiative to “war game” the problem, and to develop a plan that not only saves taxpayers money but deals with what the military believes is an “accelerating threat to national security.” Unlike Representative Poliquin, the U.S. military has warned about dangers from human-caused global warming since the Bush administration. As California’s devastating fires, exacerbated by six years of drought, and recent unprecedented flooding in Baton Rouge indicate, the impacts of climate change are clear.
Bruce Poliquin consistently touts his record as a defender of veterans. If he is such a supporter of veterans and the military, then why is he unwilling to listen to admirals and military scientists?
This pattern is not unusual for Rep. Poliquin. He is a climate denier, saying in 2014: “is man responsible for that climate change? I personally am suspect.” Perhaps unsurprising for someone given $37,400 by the gas and oil industry, and thousands more by the Koch brothers. I, myself, have written the representative several letters urging him to support common-sense, conservative solutions to spur free-market innovation in renewable energy, receiving no response. Unfortunately, Bruce Poliquin is more interested in his own re-election and campaign donations than in leading our state towards energy independence and entrepreneurship.
That is why I’m voting for Emily Cain in November. Cain supports a diverse energy portfolio and believes in science. She understands that Maine is uniquely positioned to be affected by the ravages of climate change, which is already damaging and threatening our fishing, logging, and tourism industries. Our trees are already affected by pests like the spruce budworm, invading from New Brunswick, and our fishing industry has been damaged by warming and acidifying oceans, with cod fisheries relocating north to Canada and the lobster fishery dwindling.
Maine is perfectly positioned to transition to new jobs in aquaculture, tidal and biomass energy, new manufacturing industries, and ongoing employment for foresters and loggers. Well-managed forests are a carbon sink, and Maine’s rich forests will be a global resource in the coming economy.
Maine has always been a state reliant on its natural resources, and the proud logger on our state flag stands for all of us. I urge you to consider your conscience, think of your children, and vote with me in November for Emily Cain.
