Don’t give up the fight

Regarding “It’s too late, baby” (Letters, July 24): Yes, we’ve heard much rhetoric over the years about the doomsday scenario of climate change, and how legislators must enact laws to stop the advancement of greenhouse gases.

At this crucial juncture, throwing up our hands in irritation and frustration with our politicians because of their inexcusable lack of action is understandable. Indeed, perhaps we are beyond the tipping point.

The stark disasters of wildfires, drought, floods, extreme heat are happening before our eyes. But no, we can’t and won’t give up the fight. The survival of all species is at stake. The international community realizes the costs of perpetuating the status quo far outweigh the price of taking transformative action to curb emissions. Putting a price on carbon immediately would motivate markets to innovate and consumers to conserve. Such a policy can be quickly implemented.

The money collected can be returned to the people, particularly to communities directly harmed by pollution. Of course, building resilience is necessary because our way of life has been irreparably altered. Fighting climate change while simultaneously adapting to it is now our mission. Preparing ourselves for an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius within the next five years seems sadly inescapable.

Barbara Jue, San Francisco