The writer from Orange who recently warns us to “be prepared” for whatever is meant by net zero may want to think about why there is such a term in our vocabulary these days [letter, “If you want net zero, be prepared,” Nov. 22]. What does net zero refer to?

“Put simply, net zero means we are not adding new emissions to the atmosphere,” according to the UN News site. Closer to home, we have the Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, with plans on how we will reach net zero.

Net zero is defined as “A level of statewide greenhouse gas emissions that is equal in quantity to the amount of carbon dioxide or its equivalent that is removed from the atmosphere and stored annually by, or attributable to, the Commonwealth; provided, however, that in no event shall the level of emissions be greater than a level that is 85 percent below the 1990 level” (mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-clean-energy-and-climate-plan-for-2050).

Basically, the fossil fuel emissions that are causing climate change need to be reduced to at least bring into balance those emissions with the absorption of an equivalent amount from the atmosphere.

Will this be painless? I don’t think so. The plan to “electrify everything” will create disruption as we transition to new energy sources. Billions of dollars will be spent on technological fixes. As a member of the Wendell State Forest Alliance, I would like to remind everyone that there is one resource that we already have which sequesters carbon from the atmosphere and which we must protect — nature.

Our forests, wetlands, grasslands, and other carbon-capturing natural resources which are currently costing us nothing for the environmental services they provide must be preserved for their many benefits, not the least of which is to maintain Earth as a livable planet.

Laurel Facey

Wendell