I am a professional geologist and clergy person. I have spent many years involved in global climate-change research. Climate change and the human impact on the environment at local and global scales are real and undeniable. As a faith leader, I believe people have a responsibility to be excellent stewards of this planet

My senators understand how important the environment is to the economy, the nation’s children and public health. This month, Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King will have an opportunity to confirm, or not, the nomination of Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency. I hope they oppose his nomination.

After years of study, the EPA determined carbon pollution to be a public endangerment. In his own words, Pruitt doubts “the degree and extent of global warming and its connection to the actions of mankind.” Senators must not confirm a person who would lead the EPA only to deny the agency its obligation, sanctioned by the U.S. Supreme Court, to put climate solutions to work.

An EPA led by Pruitt would cement Maine’s legacy as the “tailpipe of the nation” for decades to come. Pruitt has sued the EPA to stop vital protections for public health — including standards for reducing soot and smog pollution that crosses interstate lines.

A reasonable person is needed to lead the EPA, someone such as past Republican EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman.

Scott Pruitt is not a good steward for Maine’s environmental future.

Charlotte Lehmann, Auburn