Mailbag: Op-ed likening coronavirus and climate crises made excellent points

Alongside the troubling reports of people protesting sensible, medically based restrictions that safeguard our public health, I was heartened to read a science-based commentary comparing the current coronavirus crisis with the looming climate crisis (“Commentary: It’s not a stretch to juxtapose the coronavirus and climate change crises,” April 24).

The same disregard for science and dismissal of government’s legitimate responsibilities that has resulted in America’s failure to contain COVID-19 has also stalled responsible climate action for decades.

Today we are all paying the price for inept leadership through increased COVID-19 deaths and consequent economic collapse. Eventually a vaccine will control coronavirus but unless we elect enlightened leaders, the suffering, death and destruction from heat waves, floods, droughts, wildfires and extreme weather events will be our lot.

Charlie Birge

Fountain Valley

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Many thanks to the Daily Pilot for publishing this important opinion. The climate threat is just as serious as COVID-19 but, fortunately, we have some time to complete our response.

We must, however, not delay more than needed. We should all urge Congress to pass the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019 before the election, when the threat of voter wrath will push legislators to act.

Jim Martin

Huntington Beach

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Every day that passes without action on climate change compounds our problem. The four bills in Congress, mentioned in this op-ed, are market solutions that true conservatives will love if given a fair hearing, but that’s not who President Trump is.

Craig Preston

Costa Mesa

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A carbon fee and dividend system is the quickest, most effective and fairest action we can take to minimize the climate catastrophe we face. We have time, but not much.

Tom Hazelleaf

Seal Beach

Protesters miss a wave — and the point

Dear beach protesters,

You’re the same ones who folded your arms across your little-kid chests and refused to eat your broccoli — the kids who whined when your parents wouldn’t let you go to a concert for fear there would be a gunman.

Only what you wanted mattered then, when your parents were trying to take care of you, and now, when your governor is trying to take care of you.

You’re making a foolhardy fuss, with your flags and your signs, and your guns (!), when it would have been just two more weeks before the beaches would be open. Instead of thinking what is best for the community, you are risking your lives, and you are risking my life and the lives of people near and dear to you.

Grow up! Be a responsible adult!

Liz Swiertz Newman

Corona del Mar

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The sea will be there for us after the pandemic has passed. After all, cabin fever is not nearly as deadly as the fever caused by COVID-19.

Ben Miles

Huntington Beach

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Our privileged population in Newport Beach seems to have spawned a group of confident individuals who think that they not only have their own answers about science, government, health, business and city development issues, but they have the answers for all the rest of us too.

Thus they flock to the beaches at their first opportunity to enjoy the sun, sand and surf. And most refuse to wear facial masks that would protect their neighbors.

Lynn Lorenz

Newport Beach

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