To the editor: The ongoing wildfires in California have been a real eye-opener for me. They serve as a stark warning about the environmental challenges we face, as highlighted in the recent letter, “Fossil-fuel polluters put money over the planet. Tax them into smithereens” (Jan. 27).
These fires are not just isolated incidents; they are a loud alarm ringing out across the globe. They’re a glaring indication of our fragile existence on this Earth and a clear reflection of our misplaced priorities.
I’ve been guilty, like many others, of trusting that the world’s governments would eventually respond to the urgent warnings about climate change. Unfortunately, these warnings have been largely ignored, and we do so at our own risk.
Governments mirror the people they represent, and in America, we’ve chosen leaders who seem largely unfazed by climate issues. This choice mirrors the mindset of the American public. It has been this way for a while now; we’ve voted in administrations that have required little of themselves in terms of environmental action. As a result, transformative changes have been scarce.
Meanwhile, the fires continue to rage, painting our skies with shades of ominous pink, gray, and black.
It’s imperative for each of us to raise our voices—not just towards our leaders, but towards each other. We need to declare, “Wake up! All of our everyday distractions pale in comparison to the threat of climate change. None of these minor issues will matter when we face the political, economic, and social chaos that will inevitably arise if we keep ignoring these pressing concerns for the sake of short-term comfort.”
If anyone doubts this, just ask the residents of Southern California.
Kenneth Ely, Blaine, Wash.
