Andy Caldwell’s recent paid advertisement in the Sun claims to offer “The Truth About Katie Davis and 350.org” (Jan. 2) but instead offers misinformation.
First, while claiming in his headline to offer the truth about Ms. Davis, he doesn’t even mention her until the final paragraph of his alleged exposé about her. But by implication, he suggests that she, Bill McKibben, and others concerned about climate change expect Americans to give up “cars, vacations, toasters, frozen foods, microwaves, hot water heaters, air conditioning, and heaters.”
Unlike Mr. Caldwell, I know Katie Davis, so I can actually say something true about her. She lives in a comfortable home in Goleta with her husband and two children. They own two cars, keep food in their freezer, sometimes heat it in their microwave, and enjoy hot water and nice vacations. They even have a toaster. What sets her family apart from most others is that they power their household luxuries, including their electric vehicles, with solar power.
Mr. Caldwell falsely claims that “your lifestyle is the target of [Ms. Davis’s] advocacy.” In fact, it’s just your energy source she’d like you to change. As Mr. Caldwell writes, “Think about that the next time Katie Davis submits an opinion to the Sun!”
This article appears in Jan 16-23, 2014.