Opinion: Saving the planet, with or without Donald Trump’s help

To the editor: Dealing with global warming is a monumental challenge under any administration, but having serious climate deniers at the helm will make it that much more difficult for America. (“Despite Trump, there’s still hope for the climate a year after Paris,” editorial, Dec. 12)

Worldwide, this is not really about science; it’s about money and power. Those who gain financially from the fossil-fuel industry spend millions to maintain the status quo and create confusion. Leaders who sincerely want to do their part and serve their people struggle with how to provide the energy needed to run their countries in what may be a long “transitional” period.

It is clear that not everyone is pulling in the same direction. If we were, all the resources now being used to foil the effort could make the transition so much quicker and less painful for us all.

Addressing climate change is not optional. If our politicians and corporations don’t get that, we the people must rally en masse.

Lynne Girdlestone, Newhall

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To the editor: As someone who has spent many sleepless nights thinking about the election, I appreciate the cautious optimism of The Times’ editorial.

In a world where someone with contempt for knowledge can challenge scientific facts and trust that a large portion of the public will believe him, one wonders if even the law of gravity is safe. But losing the executive branch as an ally in the battle against global warming might be just the challenge we need.

The advent, this year, of an affordable electric vehicle with a 240-mile driving range leaves us no excuse for inaction on climate change. Perhaps daily reminders that our next president is unwilling to address the world’s most pressing problem will spur us to take matters into our own hands and exchange our current carbon dioxide spewing vehicles for a cleaner alternative.

Walter H. Piper, Irvine

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