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THE ASTORIAN • THuRSdAy, dEcEmbER 3, 2020
OPINION
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
Publisher
DERRICK DePLEDGE
Editor
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JEREMY FELDMAN
circulation manager
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GUEST COLUMN
Protect ocean habitats from climate change
T
he Oregon Coast is iconic for
its craggy cliffs and rugged
beaches.
Oregonians from across the state
travel to our coast to fly kites and build
sandcastles on our incredible beaches,
or hike on the rocky cliffs to get a
good view of the gray whales as they
migrate. But future generations may
never enjoy these experiences if ris-
ing sea levels and warmer oceans leave
Oregon’s coast unrecognizable.
That’s why I was excited to see bold
new proposals for conserving our ocean
and combating climate change in the
Ocean-Based Climate
Solutions Act, intro-
duced by U.S. Rep. Raul
Grijalva in the House
recently, co-sponsored
by Oregon’s U.S. Rep.
Suzanne Bonamici
and U.S. Rep. Earl
CELESTE
Blumenauer.
MEIFFREN-
This bill proposes a
SWANGO
bold agenda that will
reorient America’s rela-
tionship to our oceans, recognizing the
important role our coastal waters play
in our cultural imagination and in the
life-support systems of our planet.
Protecting ocean habitats can have
major benefits for species and ecosys-
tems that are already at risk from cli-
mate change.
These safeguards are essential
because ocean life has already felt the
impact of warming waters. Scientists
estimate that 90% of the rise in global
temperatures have been absorbed by the
ocean.
Here on the West Coast, we’ve
watched as purple sea urchins have
decimated kelp forests to the south, as
their main predator — starfish — died
in droves from a disease made worse
by warming waters. And with these
changes comes the risk of the extinc-
tion of whales, fish and coral that have
swum in our seas for millions of years.
But if we protect these natural
spaces from direct, destructive human
activities, such as commercial fishing
Ed Gullekson/Science Advances
A dying sunflower star afflicted with sea star wasting disease.
PROTEcTING OcEAN HAbITATS cAN HAVE mAJOR
bENEFITS FOR SPEcIES ANd EcOSySTEmS THAT
ARE ALREAdy AT RISK FROm cLImATE cHANGE.
and oil drilling, ocean life can bounce
back.
For Oregon, one of the best ways
to ensure future generations can con-
tinue to enjoy a vibrant nearshore is to
give key ecosystems breathing room to
adapt to a warming world. The Ocean-
Based Climate Solutions Act would do
that by committing the U.S. to protect-
ing 30% of our oceans by 2030 from
destructive human activities.
Equally as important, this legislation
can play a role in combating climate
change by protecting or restoring kelp,
seagrass or mangroves that help keep
carbon out of the atmosphere. Pound
for pound, these underwater areas are
more effective at trapping carbon than
forests on land. If we can restore these
ecosystems, they can help us reduce the
amount of carbon in our air, making it
easier to stave off the worst effects of
global warming.
For our children and grandchil-
dren’s sake, we must act now. That
means making our voices heard so that
our congressional leaders join Rep.
Bonamici and Rep. Blumenauer in sup-
porting the Ocean-Based Climate Solu-
tions Act and to help ensure that our
oceans both thrive and continue to play
a role in fighting climate change.
celeste meiffren-Swango is the direc-
tor of Environment Oregon.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Foolish
F
olks shouldn’t be elated yet because
the media says Joe Biden won. And,
at Joe Biden’s peril, he all too hurriedly
assumes he’s president-elect.
President Donald Trump hasn’t
publicly produced evidence fraudulent
conduct stole the election. But such a mas-
sive fraud takes more than three weeks
after an election to investigate and gather
evidence.
All of the election litigation and
recounts thus far involve mishandling
and isolated fraudulent conduct within a
state. No court has yet considered Presi-
dent Trump’s claim of massive nationwide
fraud.
It seems to me foolish to reject that
claim out of hand.
It’s worth noting the computer com-
pany charged with tabulating votes in the
so-called battleground states has lawyered
up and refused to testify before the Penn-
sylvania Legislature about claims of voter
fraud.
It seems to me it’s in the best inter-
ests of the country to shine a bright light
on the way our 2020 votes were cast and
counted. No matter whether Trump or
Biden is finally declared the winner, it’s
essential that the election complied with
the Constitution.
For if our leaders aren’t chosen as pro-
vided under the Constitution, freedoms
guaranteed by that document will also
eventually disappear.
DON HASKELL
Astoria
Come together
I
keep hearing these are unprecedented
times. They really aren’t. We, as a coun-
try, have faced many wars, famine, disease
… the challenges throughout history have
always been present.
How we handle them is the key. No
matter what side you are on, left or right or
somewhere in between, this is the time in
our history to come together as Americans,
as the proud people that we are.
This is the time to set aside our differ-
ences, and sit down and talk calmly about
what we are doing as individuals, fami-
lies and a country. This is the time to hold
our governing officials accountable for the
jobs they do for us.
This is not the time for war. We do not
need to be at war with each other. Whom
does that really serve? Think about it.
I keep hearing people say that a civil
war is coming. Really? Is that going to
LETTERS WELCOME
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month. Letters written in response
help? I think not. I think people are los-
ing sight of what is really important: Each
other. Coming together as family, friends
and neighbors who care about one another
and want to heal the wounds that have
been spread throughout our country.
Please stop and think about the legacy
you want to leave to your loved ones. All
of this anger is truly ugly, and it does not
serve any positive purpose. Look for good
things you can do in your little corner of
the world.
If we all do that, and keep trying to
help and support each other, we will be
to other letter writers should address
the issue at hand and should refer to
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published. Discourse should be civil.
Send via email to editor@dailyasto-
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97103.
victorious.
MARY HADREAS
Astoria
Thinking positive
A
fter spending my Thanksgiving home,
in Astoria, this year, I texted my fam-
ily the following message:
“This Christmas I will be celebrating
from Astoria. Now, there are four week-
ends until Christmas. Each week I will be
sending a theme package to each house-
hold. Enjoy, send pictures, and let’s be safe.
“Themes: Nov. 28, “Food, or is it?”
(footnote: Gulley’s Butcher Shop had
strange jerkies); Dec. 5, “Play or Stress”
(footnote: Purple Cow Toys fit the bill);
Dec. 12, “Laugh!” (to be determined);
and Dec. 19, “Santa’s choice, naughty or
nice?” (to be determined).
“Don’t be looking for Amazon pack-
ages, etc. All shopping will be done
locally. Our wonderful downtown needs
support more than ever.”
My first packages went out Satur-
day. Maybe this idea could work for you.
Thinking positive, and thinking safe.
JO LUMPKIN-BROWN
Astoria
Perfect
T
hank you for the extraordinary page in
Weekend Break on Nov. 21, reproduc-
ing Noel Thomas’ beautiful painting of red
leaves. It was perfect. Everything about
it — the picture, the text, the layout and
typography — was carrying an expression
of gratitude.
ROBERT ADAMS
Astoria