Time is not on our side to act on climate change

Re: “California fires: See how smoke is spreading across the West” (Mercurynews.com, Aug. 7):

Record-setting wildfires in California and the Northern Hemisphere dominate the news. People are realizing that climate change is happening, something scientists have long understood.

Fundamental change is urgently needed. Will we vote only for candidates who prioritize climate action, like pricing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and funding clean- energy research and clean- car rebates? Will we support policies that favor low- carbon transportation — walking, biking and taking transit — or will we continue to privilege cars? Will we advocate for more homes in our community to shorten commutes? Will we systematically slash our own carbon footprints? Will we sometimes walk, bike and take transit? If we buy a car, will it be plug-in hybrid or all- electric? Will we minimize natural gas use, shifting to electric heat pumps? Buy less stuff? Eat less meat? Fly less? Pay more attention?

Or will we continue as before, awaiting the next wake-up call? Time is not on our side. — Barbara Fukumoto, Sunnyvale

Will utilities set their liability and give ratepayers the bill?

Senate Bill 901 (utility companies/wildfires), as it reads, would be comparable to writing a blank check to PG&E. It’s unjust to raise utility bills on customers for fires started by PG&E, as was the case for several of the 2017 fires.

Assembly Bill 33 (California wildfires) would allow PG&E to use bond proceeds to settle lawsuits and firefighting costs from the last October fires and pass the recovery costs onto ratepayers. California utility ratepayers would receive a new monthly charge on their PG&E bills to pay for these bonds.

Allowing utilities to predetermine their own liability while sticking the ratepayers with the bill must be prevented. We need to encourage our elected officials to vote no on AB 33 and SB 901. — Lila Kraai, San Jose