To the editor:

We need energy conservation. The good news is that conservation is cost-effective. If you happened to hear Ray Anderson at Kansas University last spring tell how he directed a thorough-going change in his carpet manufacturing company to conserve energy and limit CO2 emissions, you may have been surprised to learn that the result was an additional $50 million of profit.

Scott Trettel (Journal-World, Nov. 27) is busy demonstrating the same relationship building homes in North Lawrence. He is nearly eliminating the utility bills associated with cooling and heating. That ought to go some ways in helping to pay the mortgage on a home. Yet Trettel notes, “it is still difficult to get bankers and lenders to see the attributes” of nonconventional, energy efficient building.

Scientific evidence is showing that climate change is occurring much faster than scientists have predicted. Now the arctic ice cap is predicted to be completely melted within four to seven years with warming following in the arctic permafrost. There are huge amounts of methane waiting to escape when that permafrost melts.

Efforts to greatly cut human society’s CO2 and methane outputs are necessary. CO2 levels already are way above normal.

We need more Scott Trettels and Ray Andersons, and bankers who are up to speed about climate change!

Mark Larson,
Lawrence