An island in hot water

Re “An Alaskan island finds itself losing ground,” Nov. 25

With an estimated 10 to 15 years of stability, the island of Kivalina only has a few years of viability left for its residents. Although it may be hard to accept, the people of Kivalina should redirect the intense energy they spend trying to save their fading land and replace their infighting with stronger, more negotiable proposals to the government for new land or relocation funds. With or without aid, they must fight for and use all resources to establish a sustainable reality.

Now is the time to prepare for a future on solid ground. Look ahead, people of Kivalina, as your ancestors urged you to long ago, and search for life worthy of your strength, heart and tenacity before you are left with few choices and no home. Your home waits for you beyond Kivalina.

Anthony P. Trabucco

Orange

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My heart goes out to the people living on Kivalina. The fact that they are losing their homes is not their fault, and they shouldn’t have to pay the consequences. Kivalina is proof that global warming is a fact. Scientists’ predictions about the effects of global warming are becoming reality, and not enough is being done to stop it. The victims of Hurricane Katrina were given relief, and California homes that were destroyed by fires will be rebuilt, but does anyone care about a small Alaskan island slowly disappearing into the ocean?

It is necessary that we begin to view areas being destroyed by global warming as disaster areas and not just products of Mother Nature.

Jennifer Ouellette

Rancho Santa Margarita