Prevent another disaster, act on climate change
LETTERS LETTERS@USATODAY.COM
My heart goes out to those in Texas who have been displaced, lost their homes or even their lives to Hurricane Harvey. Unfortunately, storms like this one will become much more frequent unless our nation takes significant action on climate change.
It’s true that Texas has always had storms (as has the East Coast, and Florida specifically). But it’s the frequency and severity that the combination of rising temperatures and sea levels is pushing forward. A solution is needed that bridges the partisan divide.
One such solution is a fee on carbon emissions, collected from the source (such as coal plants) then eventually returned to the community. This is a market-and business-friendly plan quite similar to one being proposed by some in Capitol Hill.
Our children’s and grandchildren’s future depends on what we do now, so we don’t have many more large disasters like Harvey in Texas. Contact your representatives and ask them to support a carbon fee and dividend legislation.
Miriam Kirscht
Ypsilanti, Mich.
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Just think, if we had a national water grid, we could have turned on the pumps at key collection points and distributed it to reservoirs around the country. Maybe after this, we can think of ways to turn this hor-
rible event into a call for action that just might save billions in future floods, drought and fires.
Edward W. Greenlee
Glad to see President Trump is responding quickly. I’m not a fan of the guy, but when he does something presidential it is nice to see. Just hope he doesn’t try to make it all about himself.
Scott Bennett
Houston, you have a problem. But don’t worry, we will do all we can to help you.
Luis F. Silva
Right now, getting relief to our friends in Texas is all that matters. Give generously, and show the world what a great country we are. We stand up for each other, that is what makes us great — always.
Scott Hardy
TWITTER @USATOPINION
Our followers shared their thoughts on Hurricane Harvey’s passage through Texas and the rescue operations underway.
The water is not forever. Things can be replaced. Human compassion is unending. As long as there’s a tomorrow, there’s hope.
@FMHilton
The United States Coast Guard, thank you for your unwavering support during this crisis.
@ShaunaJones1
It is not the aftermath yet. Harvey is here for another few days! We all need to be there for victims in whatever way we can. No politics.
@PaintPaperPens
Thanks to all you heroes out there. May you be blessed many more times in life.
@eugene_begay
I hate to see the elderly having to go through this. They are so fragile.
@BreastsR4babies
This is so terrible, people have lost their lives. Please, to the neighboring counties, help supply food and shelter to those affected.
@manavjoshi18
Things like these disasters should tell us that the least of our problems should be us against each other.
@BettyWa95991780
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