San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Put carbon bill in place
Regarding “Climate wipes out coastal kelp, as S.F. Bay’s native fish die off” (Page One, Oct. 22): I took my son to the tide pools in Pescadero this summer, and didn’t have the heart to tell him that the brightgreen algal bloom wasn’t supposed to be covering all the pools. Instead, we watched the mossy strands undulate in the waves. But what will be left for him when he’s my age? Without drastic action taken by our leaders, in 30 years, we’re facing a grim future. As reported in the article, that future is fast approaching. The solutions are out there. There are even solutions in Congress right now. A bipartisan approach to reducing our carbon emissions is in committee right now. It would reduce our emissions by 90 percent by 2050, and grow the economy in a just and equitable way. The Energy Innovation Carbon Fee and Dividend Act (HR763) is the best first step to a future that includes the kelp forests, the fish and tide pool gazing with a new generation.
Cecilia Palmtag, San Francisco
Appreciate the dancers
I’m a frequent BART rider who always enjoys the onboard performances of Scoot Tha Dancer and Demetrius J. I’m dismayed that BART management may decide to prohibit them. I know how much hard work and discipline goes into their dance routines and how tough it is to earn a living this way, so I’m happy to contribute what I can when they pass the hat. They don’t deserve to be called “panhandlers.” At a time when live performances are often prohibitively expensive, I appreciate artists who make the work accessible, just as I used to appreciate the free performances in the park by the San Francisco Mime Troupe (which the authorities also once tried to prevent). Passengers who would rather not watch these two are free to ignore them. Their performances only last a few minutes, they are respectful of their audience and are not aggressive when they pass the hat. Let them dance!
Fund helps stewardship
“Defend conservation funding” (Editorial, Oct. 20) followed a long tradition of supporting the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) on the paper’s editorial page. With full funding of the LWCF, America could launch a space program — one focused on open space, outdoor recreation, urban parks, picnic areas and playgrounds. Whether in a remote wilderness area or within the city limits of San Francisco and other Bay Area cities, these places are eligible for LWCF investment. A side benefit of full funding is expanded opportunities to engage and employ our nation’s youth in the stewardship of lands, lives and places. That is exactly what the Student Conservation Association does. From working in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, United States Forest Service, and National Park Service and beyond, SCA is dedicated to serving lands, lives and places. Other organizations, such as the California Conservation Corps, San Francisco Conservation Corps, San Jose Conservation Corps, Civicorps and North Bay Conservation Corps, work to benefit youth and the places we all care so much about. The LWCF can help provide for a bright future. Let’s shoot for the moon!
No more panhandlers
Regarding “Panhandler debate roils BART board” (Bay Area, Oct. 24): BART must enforce the nopanhandling policy. As a paid rider, I resent being approached by panhandlers in every station and on every trip. Some of them are aggressive and scary. I suspect many of them are fare evaders. It is bad enough to be approached on the street, but I pay to ride BART and the experience should be free of this hassle. It is obvious the board members don’t ride BART.