Letters

I think it is worth looking at the symptoms of climate change here on the East End. And, perhaps, we can decide what we can and should do.

Warmer weather and shorter winters are bringing us more destructive species. In 2017 and 2018, the Southern pine beetle wreaked havoc on more than 7,000 pine trees in Northwest and the Pine Barrens. They were taken down at taxpayers’ expense. Land without trees is not only not beautiful but changes the balance of nature. It affects our land values as well.

The list of tick-borne diseases also grows longer, as does the number of people affected. I know people who are afraid to go outside. Why should we have to worry about enjoying the beauty around us? And what about the farmers and the wonderful produce they offer us?

Warmer weather also brings warmer and higher seas. Fishing boats and ferries are experiencing docks that are no longer sufficiently high. The raising of docks and highways has already begun.

Some beaches are being rebuilt, as has been done in Montauk. Gerard Drive has been shored up as well. But these may be stopgap measures.

As we have seen with Hurricane Dorian, hurricanes are stronger and slower-moving and cause more damage.

Algae blooms affect the fish and our fishermen’s livelihood.

What can we personally do?

Inform yourself. Talk and listen and read.

There are two upcoming events of interest: “Drawdown,” a series of three lectures at Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton, starting September 9; and “Winds of Change,” September 26, from noon to 2 p.m. at Rowdy Hall in East Hampton, sponsored by the Express News Group.

We can begin to make a change.

Jane RivkinEast Hampton