The horrifying weather patterns portrayed in “The Day After Tomorrow” may have turned into reality for the United States last week. The extreme cold blast that hit the country brought in a reminder of one of the possible outcomes of climate change. In addition to extreme natural disasters, climate change will affect everyday life in Maine. Changing temperatures and ocean acidification will likely have a huge impact on lobster fishing, Maine’s major icon. Other activities taken for granted such as ice fishing and skiing will also change drastically; we need to make sure future generations experience the same Maine that we have had the joy to live in.

In order to save future generations from the effects created by climate change, carbon pollution is the most important factor that needs to be decreased, which is addressed in the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed carbon pollution standards for power plants. The public comment period is a chance to make your opinion heard regarding the National Climate Action plan.

The U.S. currently has regulations on toxins that endanger the public health, yet no limits on how much carbon a power plant company can emit, which causes 40 percent of the country’s carbon pollution. Although it is not as easy to see the direct effects of carbon emissions, the public health will severely suffer in the near future if changes do not take place now.

I strongly urge all citizens to support the EPA’s first power plant carbon emission standards.

Ellie LindenWaterville