What Would Save Lives?     
   Part 4 of 4

   Of the 50 some lives lost after Irma, many were due to loss of electricity. Eleven or more died by carbon monoxide poisoning from home generators. Eleven residents of a nursing home died from heat-related causes. 

   Roger Anderson, Columbia University, says the power grid is the place to start. Sixty percent of Florida's power grid is above ground. Putting more underground will prevent some blackouts, and speed up repair time for others. But it's not cheap: $4 million per mile.

   Systems to divert flood water simply are not affordable. 

   About 80 people died in New Orleans nursing homes during Katrina, and 24 elderly died in Houston bus fire while attempting to flee Rita. Preventable. 

   Global warming will or could affect more than hurricanes - sea levels, for one. But there are ways to plan and act to reduce the loss of life.

   So, where are we? Those who want to bankrupt America - starting with the "earth is cooling" scare in the 1970s - have merely changed their approach. We can't know how many activists are true believers and how many have other motives. 

   Russia doesn't want to cool off. Russia is interested in whatever oil resources and strategic benefits it might gain from Arctic melting. 

   We'll remain skeptical. Call us "murderers." If Al Gore is right, our grandchildren will hate us. 

   Our national debt is more likely to ignite their disgust.

   What's your answer to the question we posed on Wednesday? 

       Jimmy