The article by Tom Tietenberg discussing the importance and the value of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, perfectly summed up why it is so important to put the pressure on Gov. Paul LePage to commit to strengthening RGGI (”RGGI can help save the world,” Feb. 7).

As Tientenberg discussed, RGGI has offered numerous benefits to Maine, including cutting down on air pollution, lowering Maine’s fossil fuel emissions, and creating more jobs. And the program has allowed Maine to invest a great deal of money into energy efficiency.

Having grown up in New England, I have already started so see some of the impacts of climate change on our beloved environment. Over the past few years we’ve seen more intense storms, warmer winters, the hottest years on record, an influx of green crabs, and rising sea levels.

As a recent college graduate starting in environmental field, these environmental changes make me worried about our future and are clear indications that we need to act to prevent climate change from progressing further, and we need to act now.

We as Mainers have the opportunity to become leaders in the fight against climate change. Within the next few months a decision will be made amongst the governors of the states who make up the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative regarding whether to strengthen the program. As a result, we need to continuously put pressure on LePage to commit to strengthening the initiative to further cut down on carbon emissions, mitigate climate change, and protect the Maine environment we know and love.

Emma Rotner

Environment Maine

Portland