Cincinnati

Sadly, Gov. John Kasich and his passion for unity and civility have departed the presidential race.

Fortunately, he can still apply these values to Ohio and state energy policy.

Fossil fuels – the leading cause of global warming and air pollution – remain the mainstay of state policy, leading us toward numerous misfortunes including agricultural and fishery losses, potentially $500 billion a year worldwide by 2030.

In 2008, Ohio’s Legislature united to pass Senate Bill 221, progressively increasing our reliance on renewable energy and energy efficiency, with health and job gains.

However, in 2014, divided by partisanship, the Legislature froze the energy standards temporarily. Current House and Senate bills could continue the freeze. Certainly there is more than one pathway to a sustainable energy future.

Ohioans should insist the Legislature unequivocally commit to transition away from fossil fuels and build our renewable energy industry.

All major religions urge us to address climate change as a moral duty.

In Ohio, faith groups including Ohio Interfaith Power and Light, the Catholic Conference of Ohio and the Christian Coalition support a robust clean-energy policy.

If diverse faith communities are uniting, shouldn’t the Legislature? Governor, can you help?

Jim Rogers, South Fairmount