Deadly Maui fire another sign time is running out in fight against climate change | Opinion

Climate disasters

David R. Baker and Mark Chediak’s July 27, 2023 article “Hawaii’s biggest disaster kills 55 with 1,000 still missing,” featured in the Lexington Herald-Leader, should serve as a wake-up call for everyone that the climate crisis is among us and time is running out to fight it.

In Baker and Chediak’s article, they say, “Accuweather Inc. put the preliminary estimate of damage from the fires at $8 billion to $10 billion. The blaze was 80 percent contained, but aerial surveys found more than 270 buildings burned,” along with at least 55 dead and 1,000 missing. (Editor’s note: the death toll is now 111.) It’s undeniable that climate change has lengthened fire seasons around the world, resulting in apocalyptic fires like the ones in Maui.

It’s painfully clear that we must pivot to the solutions we already have to avoid the rate at which climate extremes are escalating in intensity and frequency. But this progress can only happen when our elected officials — U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, and U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul — rise to the challenge and do everything they can to move us away from the greenhouse gas emissions warming our planet and exacerbating terrible climate extremes.

Emily Johnson, Paris

Agriculture and climate change

When I picture Kentucky, I think of the vibrant blue sky, stalks of corn reaching for the clouds, the hum of tractors, the breeze flowing through the trees and the sun on my skin that warms my heart.

Agricultural pursuits add over $45 billion a year to our economy. As heat waves continue across the world, I worry about the sustainability of our farms. Heat waves aren’t only a problem for farmers and farm hands, but also affect livestock and crops. Unsafe levels of sun exposure can cause dehydration and heat stroke. The National Institutes of Health concluded that “agricultural workers are at least 35 times more likely to die of heat than other workers.”

One of the best ways to protect the agricultural industry is to advocate for bi-partisan policies providing long-term solutions to climate change. The TSP Access Act focuses on helping landowners access climate-smart programs. A 2021 study by the United Nations found, “unrelated farm activities and land-use changes currently account for more than half of the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced from agri-food systems in some regions.” Dig deeper into local and national proposals regarding climate-smart agriculture sustainability policies and programs so we can continue agricultural pursuits with minimal effects on our environment.

Angel Cobb, Lexington

Campaign ads

I can’t get to my TV’s mute button fast enough when these constant and vile ads come on portraying Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear as some evil Pied Piper enticing throngs of Kentucky parents to get in line to chemically castrate their children. Really? Such baloney! I hardly think these sensationalized ads interest the average Kentucky voter who worries more about when the next weather catastrophe will hit, paying their bills, having good jobs and perhaps staying alive when the next mass shooting occurs. Criticize him if you will with his decisions trying to contain the spread of COVID and keep people from getting sick and/or dying based on the medical knowledge he had at the time. That is perhaps fair political game. But focusing on sexual identity, bathroom options, and pronouns only tells us how captivated our Republican leaders are with sex. Is their nothing more they can dwell on? What’s up with that???

Janice Russell, Lexington

Donor beware

Before you click that button to send former President Donald Trump $10, $20 or $30, you might want to think about this — Trump has numerous assets he can sell to pay his own way. These include Mar-a-Lago, Trump Tower as well as numerous hotels and golf resorts around the world. Yet he holds onto them and expects you to cover his expenses. You would be quite justified in asking “Why should I pay for your child to attend a private school when my child has to stand outside for hours and hope the school bus shows up?” Better still go to a campaign rally and ask that to his face.

Jay Hopkins, Frankfort

Showing Up

I was raised on a small, family tobacco farm in rural Eastern Kentucky. Whether in line at the grocery store, over a cup of coffee after church or on someone’s front porch, I’ve been talking to Kentuckians all my life. I’m the Director of the Appalachian People’s Union at Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), where we talk with people about their worries, their values, and their hopes to call us into doing what we do best: looking out for each other. Most campaigns tell people why one candidate’s best, then leave, but that’s not how we do things at SURJ. We invite people to pitch in by having conversations with Kentuckians just like the ones I have.

Kentuckians I talk with value fairness and kindness. One candidate clearly shares those values. Gov. Andy Beshear stuck up for teachers when the previous governor wanted to harm our schools, or the legislature acted to cut food aid for kids. Kentucky Attorney General (and gubernatorial candidate) Daniel Cameron and his running mate Robby Mills refuse to prioritize what’s fair or kind. They pit us against each other instead of solving real problems. No matter our skin tone, our zip code, or amount of money in our pocket, Kentuckians deserve a decent life with well-funded public schools where all children are loved and safe, and all parents can age with care and dignity. Re-electing Beshear is one decision we can make to look out for all Kentuckians.

Beth Howard, Director of the Appalachian People’s Union, Showing Up for Racial Justice, Lexington

Cocaine trail

There has been a ridiculous discussion, promoted by Republicans, as to who left a bag of cocaine in the White House. At present, there are no leads on who brought the drugs into the building. U.S. Secret Service agents found the white powder during a routine White House sweep on July 2, in a heavily trafficked West Wing lobby where staff go in and out and tour groups gather to drop off their phones and other belongings. If one applies a universally accepted philosophical principle and then asks a single question the answer becomes clear. The philosophical principle to be applied is Occam’s Razor: a problem-solving approach that maintains that one should look first at simple, obvious solutions before concocting more complex ones.

The relevant question is this - Who is it that benefits from a bag of cocaine being found at the Whitehouse? Based on Occam’s Razor and that question, the answer becomes clear: In this time when the actions of and disrespect for facts and truth prevail in all-out attempt by Republicans to hold onto power, the cocaine was planted by Republican operatives to embarrass the White House.

Michael Kennedy, Lexington

Presidential indictment

Ted Cruz was on Fox News recently bemoaning the fact that never in our nations’ history have we indicted a former president. He is correct. But former President Donald Trumps’ misdeeds have been so blatant and so numerous, we have had no other choice.

By “we,” I mean us. Citizens serve on a Grand Jury. They are shown the evidence and the prosecutor explains the law. Then the citizens are left alone. There is no official in the room when they debate and ultimately decide two things: was a crime committed and is there a reasonable possibility the accused committed that crime. If a majority of the citizens on the Grand Jury say “yes” to both those questions, then, and only then, is a true bill issued.

If the law is vague or the evidence unreliable, the jurors are free to refrain from presenting a true bill. But almost every Grand Jury convened to investigate Trump has resulted in indictments. Compare that with every stolen election claim sent to court by team Trump. I want MAGA to pay attention here and repeat as necessary: President Joe Biden, special counsel Jack Smith, Georgia Attorney General Fani Willis, and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland did not indict Donald Trump. Citizens of the United States of America did.

DeAeth Ross, Lexington

Christian compassion

My faith in Jesus compels me to care for my neighbors — whether they live around the corner, here in Lexington, or across the globe in Lagos. One of the most powerful ways Americans live this mission is the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which has helped save 25 million lives since 2003. PEPFAR is one of the most successful global health programs in history – and it’s a linchpin in America’s moral legacy.

As Americans and Kentuckians, we can and should continue to serve people both locally and globally. People of faith around the world have been at the heart of the fight against HIV/AIDS since the start: getting PEPFAR across the legislative finish line, making incredible strides reaching populations vulnerable to HIV, and advocating for provisions that allow PEPFAR to provide services specifically for orphans and other children vulnerable to HIV. Those provisions—and the program’s 20 years of work to improve the lives of millions of families—are at risk if PEPFAR is unable to continue its lifesaving work. I strongly urge U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, to continue to support PEPFAR.

It’s the right and compassionate thing to do.

Daniel Jackson, Georgetown

COLA increases

My question to Gov. Andy Beshear and gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron is: if there is all this money to give raises to teachers, state police, etc., then why are Kentucky State Retirees never mentioned for a raise? Our COLA (cost of living adjustment) was taken away from us about 15 years ago. Why do you think we don’t need to keep up with inflation? On election day, when one of you lose by several thousand votes, just think about those state retirees that you needed to give a mention of taking care as well.

Donald R. Fugate, Lexington

Hijab pictures

The head of the Lexington Fayette County Detention Center announced they were updating their policy on photographing women wearing hijabs for religious reasons. Additionally, there would be additional diversity training. Really?

I, and many others, have known for quite some time about court rulings on this subject. Even ignoring the legal aspect, who hasn’t known, at least forever, that wearing the hijabs was a part of their religious beliefs? Remember the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

No Gold Star.

Bennie G. Patton, Berea

Trump attorneys

It’s happening. Things white privilege couldn’t keep from happening. I believe with all of my heart that the indicted lawyers who risked losing their licenses to practice law would not have done so if they knew this was going to happen to them. They all made the choice to represent a chronic, habitual liar when they chose to work for former President Donald Trump. Now everyone who kissed “The Don’s Ring” is going down in some way or another. Their careers are in shambles. All of those years and money spent on college degrees, the huge homes they live in, the fancy cars they drive, the private school educations they provide for their children, will all be lost if they are convicted.

And nobody feels one lick of sympathy for any of them, because whatever happens to them is well deserved.

Yolanda Averette, Lexington