Even though the recent climate crisis resolution was defeated in Hadley Town Meeting, I want to congratulate and thank everyone on the town’s Climate Change Committee which has done so much great work in town both preparing the article for debate and organizing public events such as climate day for public education about this critical issue. Sure, the non-binding resolution lost, but only by 10 votes, here in conservative Hadley, such a close vote should be considered a victory. Even two years ago, no vote on the climate would have this been close to passing in Hadley. Now our town seems evenly divided, with the political momentum on the side of those of us who recognize the peril that the changing climate poses to all of us, even the deniers. Arguments against the resolution such as loosing their freedom to use incandescent light bulbs or gas-powered tractors pale in comparison to the reality of the new climate’s inability to support our civilization. Drought, flood, fire and disease, refugees, war and death are our future if we do what the deniers suggest, which is to do nothing. But I digress. Just because Hadley failed this first time to pass the resolution doesn’t mean global warming isn’t happening in Hadley or that we won’t be effected by it. I hope the committee will continue its good work and in the future we can “find” 11 more votes (c’mon fellas, give me a break) to come to Town Meeting, vote yes and have Hadley join the growing chorus of towns across Massachusetts who want to act to protect our future.
Andy Morris-Friedman
Hadley
