Contributor on climate

I find it odd and even suspicious that Jeanne Ives is challenging our congressman, Sean Casten, about his presence at the Madrid Climate Conference, a meeting of world leaders to address the Global Climate Crisis.

This is an existential crisis for our country and planet. Reports from reputable sources paint an increasingly dire future if we do not take effective action now. Some catastrophic changes that we already see include sea level rise, severe droughts, ever more disastrous fires, increasingly severe storms, and erratic weather patterns that make it extremely difficult to farm successfully.

For example, this spring, Midwestern farmers had to delay planting because of excessive rain and floods that left their fields too muddy to plant.

They lost a lot of money, but we all may lose far more than just money. Numerous families may need to flee their homes. Many may die. This kind of crisis requires a World War II level of mobilization to combat it.

Sean Casten ran for Congress as an environmental entrepreneur who used innovation to protect our environment while he built a successful business. He deserved to be at this conference for what he can contribute as he represents us and our nation. I see him as offering solutions; he is certainly not part of the problem.

Dan Bailey

Wheaton