Readers React: Hoping for Republican leadership on climage change

To the editor: The expected leader of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), thinks climate change is “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people.” Presumably, he would say members of the United Nation’s science panel are also victims of this massive hoax, as well as the 195 parties attending the U.N.’s 21st conference on climate change in Paris next year. (“Republicans in Congress poised to clash with Obama over environment,” Nov. 7)

It is crucial that the United States, one of the world’s largest carbon polluters, lead the international movement seeking solutions to climate change — undoubtedly the largest and most important task we face. To hear a senator heading an environment panel flamboyantly deny global warming only underscores how its scale, complexity and danger make it difficult for some people — including elected representatives—to consider solutions.

Wiser Republicans must support research and action.

Lynn Smith, Newport Beach

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion