A Chicago Tribune story in the July 16 edition of the Sunday Rutland Herald and Times Argus, "Sportsmen: Global heat a big concern," reflects a persistent and deeply troubling bias by most newspaper reporters. To flatly assert as the reporter does – "there is no agreement on global warming" — is misleading.

While many politicians and corporations whose by-products contribute to global warming may claim uncertainty, the global scientific consensus is overwhelmng. Hundreds of climate scientists from around the world concur that their data unequivocally indicate the planet is being heated by human-produced emissions.

If I test a new medicine on 1,000 patients who all, save one, experience major improvement, is there disagreement about the helpful role of the drug? If I test 1,000 new tires on a simulated dirt track and one tire gives out, is there disagreement about the safety of the new tires? So, too, with climate change — 1,000 scientists warn of major challenges ahead with climate change and a few highly visible scientists supported by polluting industries say "still uncertain." We all need to move past our excuses for inaction and begin to implement the policies and behavior that will assure a livable planet for our grandchildren. And we need candid, clear journalists to support those critical shifts.

Erik Esselstyn

North Montpelier