Natural gas not a reasonable choice

The evidence is clear and unequivocal that for individuals and communities wishing to protect their personal health or the health of the planet, methane (natural) gas is not a reasonable 21st-century choice for providing buildings with energy. As the Ashland youths realize, in urging the Ashland Council to eliminate the option to include methane gas in new residential construction in the city, we are on a collective suicidal climate trajectory, but it can be averted.

Our current climate trajectory, if maintained, is likely to undermine our natural ecosystems and global biodiversity even as it similarly devastates our agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Those, like our youth, wishing that current and future generations are able to enjoy a planet that supports anything remotely resembling life as we know it, know that it is time for all hands to be on deck.

This means that individuals, elected legislators, and our energy industry must do what is possible to reduce our use of fossil fuels, the prime driver of the climate crisis. One effective way to do this is to electrify our lives as much as possible. In Oregon, thanks to House Bill 2021 a couple of years ago, it has been decided that electricity retailed in the state must be produced 100 percent from clean sources by 2040. This means that our best route towards reducing the climate pollution that drives the climate crisis is to electrify our lives.

To do this, without compromising current homeowners, Ashland should preclude gas from new residences.

Alan Journet / Jacksonville

Spreading unwarranted fear about Measure 110

You would think the recent research conducted by NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine and published in JAMA Psychiatry (Sept. 27) should cool the disturbing rhetoric about how Measure 110 is causing more problems than it solved.

The research identified 13 states with fatal drug overdose rates that were similar to Oregon for the three years prior to Measure 110 passing. They found the rate did not go up more in Oregon after the enactment of Measure 110 any more than these other 13 states. The study also found that Measure 110 reduced the number of arrests for drug possession but didn’t lead to increased violent crime.That’s a good thing because arrest and/or incarceration increases the likelihood of drug overdose.

Knocking arrestees out of the job market is another effect of punitive, rather than health-oriented drug policies. It would be wise for those who are urging the repeal of Measure 110 to look into NYU’s research before spreading unwarranted fear about Oregon’s step toward a different approach to this significant public health problem.

Claudia K. Little, MPH / Ashland, Oregon