How do candidates plan to save planet?

It seems like everyday, the media reports on how global warming is affecting faraway places - from melting icecaps to disappearing glaciers.

Now with record floods and unpredictable weather hitting Illinois and other parts of the Midwest, it's clear we can't ignore this problem anymore.

The fact is, our children and grandchildren could inherit a very different world from the one we grew up in.

My family and others are making small changes in our lives and doing our part to stop global warming by changing our light bulbs and using more energy-efficient appliances.

But while important, we know these small actions alone won't stop global warming. We need action from our leaders in Congress.

For the last month, people in the area have been working with Greenpeace to let their candidates for Congress know that they want them to be leaders on global warming.

Concerned citizens have been writing letters and making phone calls to let Rep. Melissa Bean and her challenger Steve Greenberg know how global warming is affecting their families.

It's time our candidates for Congress told us how they plan to protect our families from the dangerous affects of global warming.

Mika Banks

Palatine