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Readers React: No snow, raging fires: how to deal with new climate realities

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To the editor: As I read about the 500-year low for snow levels in the Sierra Nevada on Tuesday morning, gazillions of gallons of rainwater rushed off my neighbors’ yards, down the street, into the storm drains and out to the Pacific Ocean. (“Sierra Nevada snowpack is much worse than thought: a 500-year low,” Sept. 14)

Ripping out lawns is not enough to solve our state’s water woes. We need aggressive programs to save and store the water that is falling from the sky.

Recharging our groundwater tables is of the utmost importance. For too long we have landscaped to shed water off our land and into the sea. Permeable hard-scape and the creation of water collection swales on public and private land will go a long way toward recharging our aquifers.

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Of course, what is lacking is the political will to put the money and effort into making it sustainable to live in California.

Scott Herbertson, Burbank

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To the editor: How horrible that so many houses have burned in Northern California. These “unprecedented” fires should serve as a wake-up call.

Extreme drought, extreme temperatures, millions of trees lost and homes burned — climate change is not a distant problem affecting only polar bears and coastal areas. It is here now and will continue to affect all of us if we do not let our members of Congress know we want them to take action.

Robin Ganahl, North Tustin

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