Rafe Pomerance, an influential figure in the fight against climate change, passed away recently at 79 due to lung cancer. He was known for his early warnings about the dangers of burning coal and its impact on the climate.
Pomerance’s journey into environmental activism began in the late 1970s when he stumbled upon a report from the Environmental Protection Agency. It mentioned that coal emissions could significantly heat the planet. Shocked by this finding, he became determined to spread the word and rally support.
During a crucial period between 1979 and 1989, Pomerance worked to bring attention to climate change. This decade, often called a lost opportunity, saw both Republican and Democratic leaders recognize the threat but ultimately falter in their commitments. As Nathaniel Rich, who wrote about this era in his article “Losing Earth,” remarked, “He’s the central figure in the emergence of climate change as a political issue.”
Despite not being a scientist or a lawyer, Pomerance leveraged his charisma and lobbying skills to make climate science accessible. He organized meetings between climate experts and government officials. According to Daniel Becker, former director at the Sierra Club, Pomerance was instrumental in energizing activists and providing them with vital facts to tackle climate issues effectively.
One of his significant contributions was introducing climate scientist James Hansen to policymakers. Hansen’s testimony in 1988, during a year of record heat, made headlines, stating climate change was already affecting the world. At that time, even politicians like George H.W. Bush acknowledged the importance of addressing global warming.
However, the momentum eventually waned. Under the Bush administration, interest in combating climate change diminished, influenced by fossil fuel interests. Pomerance viewed this as a major setback, emphasizing that commitments to reduce emissions were crucial and still lacking in the U.S.
Pomerance’s activism extended over decades. He was involved with various environmental groups and notably negotiated the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, although the U.S. never ratified it.
Despite the challenges, Pomerance remained optimistic about the growing awareness of climate issues. He noted how far society has come since the 1970s, saying, “When I started, nobody had heard of the problem. Now everybody knows about climate change. So is that progress? Let’s hope.”
His legacy is a reminder of the importance of continued action and advocacy in the face of climate change. As experts warn of increasing global temperatures and extreme weather events, Pomerance’s work underscores that awareness alone is not enough; concrete action is essential to protect our planet.
For more information about climate change and international responses, you can visit NASA’s climate page.
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Global Warming,Greenhouse Gas Emissions,Deaths (Obituaries),Pomerance, Rafe,Friends of the Earth,World Resources Institute,Losing Earth (Book)
