Readers sound off: Calls to address climate change after disasters

USA TODAY

Letter to the editor:

In the column “Global warming alarmists shouldn’t exploit hurricanes,” Myron Ebell claims that talking about the role of climate change amid the death and destruction of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma is insensitive and inappropriate.

However, nothing could be more callously insensitive to future hurricane victims than knowing that America did not take this moment to take lifesaving action to prevent future climate-change driven disasters.

Allan Margolin; New York

More: Harvey, Irma and global warming. We have to talk.

Global warming alarmists shouldn't exploit hurricanes

Comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

After years of not having storms hit the U.S., we have a couple of hurricanes. Hurricane Harvey was a tragedy, but its torrential rainfall was due to blocking high pressure systems, not climate change. Whether you believe in climate change or not, a couple of storms hitting the U.S. doesn’t mean anything.

— Heidi Borden

Yes cuz the fact that climate scientists' predictions are coming true is scary - more extreme storms more frequently #tellusatoday — Maylan Studart (@MaylanStudart) September 14, 2017

I think it’s clear that warmer water causes stronger hurricanes. It’s also clear that the climate is always changing. Lastly, it’s clear that pollution is bad for the environment. What is not clear is that climate change is man-made.

— Scott Simpson

Deniers in Congress might change once they stop getting $$$$ from industries who want less regulation when it comes to the environment. — Mark (@mark_ca) September 14, 2017

The global climate change discussion always neglects to offer realistic global climate solutions, assurances of success and their costs.

— Mike Smith

I just want to point out that 97% of scientists agree that there is climate change and man is affecting it, and you need to look long and hard at who is funding the other 3%.

— Bob Crawford

YES!! The movie"The Day After Tomorrow"is becoming reality&even if Trump doesn't believe in climate change,we cannot ignore it! #askusatoday — Darrell W. Robinson (@DWR_ALO) September 14, 2017

Instead of politicizing the issue, come up with a solution: Either beef up the infrastructure in areas prone to such disasters if you’re going to live there, or stop building cities in those areas. Same goes for California: Don’t build neighborhoods on mountain passes where wildfires regularly occur, and you won’t have as much death and destruction.

— Mike Stevens

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