Immediate action needed on climate change
Hurricanes Milton and Helene are stark reminders of what scientists have long predicted: Climate change is fueling more frequent and severe weather. It’s not just hurricanes — this summer in the Lehigh Valley brought heat waves, flash floods and torrential downpours. Since 1958, Pennsylvania has seen a 60% increase in extreme storm rainfall — the largest in the U.S.
Last May, storm winds up to 70 mph knocked out power for 28,000 residents. By June, 85,000 more were without electricity due to severe storms. The remnant of Tropical Storm Debby dumped almost four inches of rain on Musikfest, causing floods and wind damage — and that was just the start of hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s updated forecast now predicts 17-24 named storms this year, exceeding the average of 14 (1991-2020).
Climate change isn’t just changing weather — it’s costing lives and billions of dollars. Without bold action, extreme weather will only worsen.
Pennsylvania, the fourth-largest greenhouse gas emitter in the U.S., has a unique opportunity to lead. But that will require holding polluters accountable, not placing the burden on taxpayers.
I urge Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to push for ambitious climate solutions now, before these once-rare storms become our new normal.
Tara Zrinski
Bethlehem
The writer is the Northampton County controller.
Thank you to students
Thank you to the students, staff and administration of Ritter Elementary School in Allentown.
For over 35 years the fifth-grade students have been interviewing veterans and learning about their story in times of war and peace.
After the students interview us they have a project to complete: making posters of displays, etc. on what they learned about our military operators, serving and freeing others and protecting our country.
On Friday, Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m. the entire school invites everyone to a fantastic patriotic veterans program.
Every student, with the support of the staff, provides an outstanding program about the American spirit.
As a proud Vietnam veteran, I really appreciated what they do. Ritter School does educate our children about our military and their service to our country.
We veterans and I know our school system is in good hands.
Thank you again.
Tim Gilbert
Whitehall Township
Inflation a longtime economic reality
What is inflation? When I was a boy some 70 years ago my mother gave me a dollar and told me to go to the corner store and eat supper. So I went and got one of my favorite meals. Two steak sandwiches, a Tastykake and a Coca-Cola.
After that I bought a comic book and went home with a dime change from my dollar.
Yesterday I bought two steak sandwiches, an order of fries and an order of onion rings and paid over $22. That’s inflation. And it’s been going on since before any of us alive now were born.
In the 1960s a gallon of gas was 25 cents. In the 1700s a loaf of bread cost 3 cents. Things may have cost less in the past but working class people earned less then also. Wages and cost of goods have always been relevant and for working class people life has always been a struggle to make ends meet.
James Vitez
Allentown
Tree replacement plan should be reconsidered
As a former stream restoration professional, I am very concerned to see that Allentown has been cutting many trees along the banks of the Little Lehigh in the Lehigh Parkway. It is urgent that Allentown reconsiders this plan as it may have disastrous consequences. Park maintenance staff told me that there is a plan to replant with native trees. While replacing invasive species with native trees is on the surface a good idea for the ecosystem, cutting down mature trees to plant saplings that could take decades to mature is not. It would be a better idea to prevent new invasive species growth or to incrementally replace individual trees over a longer period.
Mature trees and riparian buffers hold the banks together and filter pollutants from upstream developments and agriculture. High cut banks on the Little Lehigh show we already have significant erosion. Removing the only things stabilizing these banks will harm aquatic life and the whole food chain it supports by clouding the water with sediment, making it difficult for aquatic life to breathe and reproduce. Cutting down trees is also a climate change and air pollution threat. Allentown Parks & Recreation, please urgently reconsider your plan.
Laura Navitsky
Salisbury Township
Move the United Nations
When the UN was founded after World War II, consideration was given to several sites to establish its permanent headquarters but eventually New York City was chosen. (www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/headquarters.pdf)
Since then, I am also sure the U.S. (and the city of New York) have absorbed mega-millions of dollars, never fairly shared by other countries, to pay for the accommodations, security services, etc., that our country and the city has paid for.
It’s long past that the UN should now move to London, Paris or somewhere else in the planet to have the honor of hosting these freeloaders.
Sheldon P. Siegel
South Whitehall Township
Every day should include a hug
After more than 80 years of life I have experienced all kinds of highs and lows. Once upon a long ago I was even a teenager (minus piercings and tattoos). I have raised a family, and read stories at our Nazareth Library. Now I have grandchildren and great grandchildren, and I want them to have a good life.
What will their future hold? Will they experience peace and unity, respect and acceptance? Every day should include a hug, a smile and laughter. After 80-plus years I have no complaints. For this I am thankful and grateful.
Alice Yeakel
Nazareth
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