× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

Secretary of Defense James Mattis testified to the U.S. Senate that climate change is a serious threat to national security. Severe droughts in Syria played a significant role in the civil war tearing that nation apart, leading to millions of refugees and fostering extremism.

It's time for common-sense solutions, such as a carbon fee and dividend to help the United States divest from foreign oil and become energy independent. More than ever, we must work on mitigating climate change and decreasing emissions nationally and locally. It may seem daunting, but we can make meaningful changes locally to be safer and more sustainable. We must prepare for rising temperatures, precipitation and extreme weather due to climate change.

Preparatory actions and solution-focused policies start with city councils, school boards and mayors across the country. Let's start here at home with the upcoming election. I encourage everyone to research candidates and vote on April 4.

Regardless of who you vote for, we must all get involved and stay informed to foster resilience to worldwide climate instability. Our representatives in Washington, including U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, and Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, will take note and champion our causes when we are well-informed, engaged and voting.

Peter Gorski, La Crosse