To the Editor:

You know that amusing TV commercial that asks whether you should let your auto mechanic remove your appendix and have your doctor repair your car? I have that same question about politicians like Scott Brown that refute climate change, despite consensus among the majority of scientists. I’m pretty sure those scientists wouldn’t presume to challenge Attorney Brown’s expertise in real estate law, so what makes him think he is qualified to dispute their findings on climate change?

New Hampshire and New England have good reasons to be concerned about climate change. In addition to the negative effects on things like maple syrup production and fall foliage, there is the problem of extreme weather events that already threaten property and lives.

We need a senator that acknowledges the science and is willing to take action to protect people and the environment, not someone who changes his position to suit his funders – in this case, the Koch brothers. We need Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who has consistently recognized the hazards of climate change and will support action to “reduce pollution, reduce reliance on foreign oil and encourage clean energy investments that create jobs and lower energy costs.”

You may have heard that Scott Brown’s position during the 2012 campaign in Massachusetts (“I do believe man plays a role” in causing climate change.”) was not the same as it was last month in New Hampshire, when he answered “No,” – that he didn’t believe the theory of man-made climate change had been scientifically proven. So the weather theme may, in fact, fit the occasion; instead of if you don’t like the weather in New England, wait a minute, we might say “if you don’t like Scott Brown’s position on climate change, wait for his next campaign.”

Sharon Yergeau

Bedford