By an 8-3 vote the Baltimore County Board of Education recently decided that the superintendent will be required to close non-air-conditioned schools when the heat index is predicted to reach 90 degrees or more by 11 a.m. ("Baltimore County school board modifies heat closing policy," Aug. 30).
But here's the conundrum: Encouraging schools to install air conditioning so children can continue to learn would require an rise in fossil fuel use that would actually increase temperatures on our already overheated planet.
That's because using carbon-emitting energy sources to cool the classrooms raises temperatures in the environment. Gov. Larry Hogan would be wise to use solar or geo-thermal energy to air condition classrooms.
Yet instead the governor is pushing for fracking in Maryland — which will increase carbon and methane emissions and further contribute to climate change.
The regulations for "safe fracking" produced by the state Department of the Environment will be issued in October. Residents should beware of the threat of climate to Maryland's tourist industry, economy and environment as well as the health of its residents.
The earth is trying to tell us something: Pay attention to the health of our environment. Further greedy exploitation of our earth with fracking will only hasten these problems.
I implore Governor Hogan to recognize the dangers involved with fracking and to instead encourage business growth using solar, wind and geo-thermal energy, all of which are offer a much safer way to preserve the earth for ourselves and our children.
Myra Bonhage-Hale, White Hall