Mitt Romney recently proclaimed that the Environmental Protection Agency needs to adjust its priorities, focusing on pollutants such as mercury, rather than greenhouse gases. He said, "The role of governments ... is to protect our air and water." This is entirely true. However, his statement about greenhouse gases conflicts with his idea about protecting our air and water.

Think of the road to preserving our environment as a many-faceted issue. Just last year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that 2010s emission of carbon dioxide exceeded the agency's prospective worst-case scenario.

Mercury is also a serious environmental risk not to be taken lightly. Perhaps rather than chastising the EPA for raising its focus on greenhouse gases, Romney could educate himself about the damage associated with carbon dioxide emissions.

As someone who is arguably one of the likely candidates to run against President Obama in 2012, Romney would be wise to try earning the support of the liberal crowd if he really wants to be a serious contender. A sure way to do this is by recognizing the threat of greenhouse gases and lending support to the EPA. Greenhouse gases will not go away unless measures are taken to regulate their emissions.

Katie Walsh, West Richland