Reclaim democracy

I was deeply moved by the op-ed article by veterans Lee Raney, Janevic, Blood, Wolverton and Grove outlining Department of Defense’s efforts to expand the military’s renewable energy production, and urging Americans to patriotically reduce their carbon footprint while encouraging increased domestic production of clean energy.

Indeed, the most patriotic way readers can confront climate change is by spending part of Independence Day writing to Sens. Jon Tester and John Walsh and Rep. Steve Daines urging them to support climate change legislation. By writing or calling one’s Congressional delegation, one reclaims America’s democracy, which sadly has been hijacked by well-paid lobbyists waging a treacherous misinformation campaign.

Readers could also join the Citizens Climate Lobby, an organization of unpaid volunteers promoting climate change education and a carbon tax to be paid by fossil fuel producers and rebated to the public.

Citizens Climate Lobby stresses the need to develop trusting relationships with members of Congress by expressing appreciation for their service, respect for their office and gratitude for their efforts, while relentlessly (but politely) pressing them to support a national revenue-neutral carbon tax.

May you have a fun, patriotic Fourth of July as Americans, from sea to shining sea, reclaim our democracy.

Rabbi Judy Weiss

Brookline, Mass.