Dear Editor,
Many San Diegans participated in last weekend’s Break Free From Fossil Fuels rally where thousands marched in solidarity to demand oil, coal, and gas be kept in the ground and move to 100 percent renewable energy sources. I admonish the Union Tribune for not covering this event because it was not deemed “local” or newsworthy. The protesters are part of a worldwide event in which demonstrators converge in different cities to break free from the “chains” of fossil fuels. Los Angeles, home to the biggest center for urban oil production, practices dangerous oil extraction in some neighborhoods with disregard to the health and safety of the people and for the environment. Los Angeles elected officials should commit to a Climate Action Plan similar to the steps of San Diego’s CAP, which aims to reduce the greenhouse gas effect and work to create a fair, equitable and sustainable future.
Connie Castro
Mira Mesa
__________________________________________________________________________________
***Published in the Union Tribune May 18th 2016***
Dear Sir/Madam,
I participated in the Break Free from Fossil Fuels rally in Los Angeles yesterday. I was one of almost a hundred San Diegans participating. This was part of a global wave of actions in the US, UK, Philippines, Germany, Nigeria etc, calling for us to rapidly transition away from fossil fuels to put the brakes on climate change. It’s really important we get action on addressing climate change, which is threatening humanity on so many fronts and already creating climate refugees – including from island nations and low-lying parts of the U.S..
When people do step up and speak out demanding action, the media needs to cover it. I was very disappointed I didn’t see any coverage in the UT of the San Diegans who went to Break Free L.A. or indeed any coverage of the broader Break Free from fossil fuels campaign.
Angela Deegan
La Mesa
__________________________________________________________________________________
***Published in the Union Tribune May 16th 2016***
Dear Editor,
I have had a very meaningful life as a wife engaged with family, friends, outdoor life and a career as a psychology professor. But I have become so deeply concerned about climate changes already occurring and the lack of progress that I went to Los Angeles for the Break Free March on Saturday. I knew I’d be inspired by hearing Bill McKibben, climate change author speak and by the presence of over a thousand other activists. And I was. While San Diego can be extremely proud of its goal to have 100% clean energy by 2035, we must make sure that this happens and spread the movement across our country. We already see befouled air and atmospheric quality, rising sea levels, a significantly degraded land for our children and an impending refugee problem. We must do the work of a democracy and speak out now before it’s too late.
Bev Harju
San Diego
__________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Editor,
On Saturday, May 14, about 200 San Diegans participated in a Los Angeles event connected to many others worldwide, to break free from fossil fuels. This is particularly pertinent in San Diego, the first for its size to commit to a 100% clean energy future. Los Angeles had thousands of demonstrators demanding a reduction of the amount of fossil fuels being excavated from near their homes. We heard heart breaking stories from people who endured the Porter Ranch methane breach recently and from famous people such as philanthropist Tom Steyer and 350.org‘s founder Bill McKibben. It isn’t enough for San Diego to aim for a clean energy future; we need our neighbors doing the same. This was an important event for our local area and the paper should have covered it.
Joan Raphael
Mira Mesa
__________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Editors,
During this crucial time in history where thousands of Californians came together to call on our country’s leaders to diminish our dependence on fossil fuels, I am disappointed that the UT did not cover the “Break Free from Fossil Fuels” rally in LA this past Saturday.
Hundreds of San Diegans attended the rally to show the rest of the world that San Diego is a leader in climate solutions. San Diego just recently passed a Climate Action Plan, which moves our city towards a 100% renewable energy future by 2035. The UT should be supporting our city’s environmental leaders by covering those of us who rallied at the “Break Free from Fossil Fuels” rally this past weekend.
Eddie Junsay
Hillcrest
__________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Editor,
The Break Free demonstrations in Los Angeles and around the world May 14th is a powerful message to reduce using fossil fuels. Especially here in San Diego, where we are committed to 100% renewable energy, the message is loud and clear. Climate change is happening, and people in San Diego want keep fossil fuels in the ground.
James Long
El Cajon
__________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Editors:
I attended the “Break Free from Fossil Fuels” rally in LA this past Saturday with other San Diegans and to my surprise, and disappointment, UT did not cover the event. Fortunately other media did.
Because achieving our independence from fossil fuels is a global mobilization, providing coverage for your readers on how committed San Diegans are to this climate action as to show our support in Los Angeles I believe is newsworthy. After all, California is a leader in this initiative.
When we look back in history, these are the events that will have driven the implementation of agreements written on paper and the course correction that will have profound significance on our way and quality of life, locally and around the world. I hope UT will be there to capture this journey.
Willette Lowe
Rancho Bernardo
__________________________________________________________________________________
***Published in the Union Tribune May17th 2016***
Dear Editors:
Unfortunately I was unable to join over 100 other San Diegans who attended the “Break Free from Fossil Fuels” rally in LA this past Saturday. I thought I could “read all about it” in the UT the next day. To my surprise, there wasn’t a bit of coverage of this global event – LA was only one of many held globally.
I applaud the UT for several climate change related articles that have appeared in the paper in the last few days. But wouldn’t it also be worthwhile letting your readers know there are many committed San Diegans who support a fast transition from fossil fuels and can discuss the solutions that will get us there?
Uninformed readers may not fully understand these actions. Reporting on the purpose would have helped to connect the dots between our lifestyles and the damage we are causing for our grandchildren. Step up UT if you wish to remain relevant.
Peg Mitchell
San Marcos
__________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Editor,
I’m disappointed the UT didn’t cover the “Break Free from Fossil Fuels” action that took place in Los Angeles this past weekend as part of a global climate mobilization – especially when you ran AP stories on other Break Free actions. I traveled with dozens of San Diegans to participate in this inspiring event where Bill McKibben and Tom Steyer spoke, and where people from all over California gathered to call for an end to drilling in residential L.A. neighborhoods and a rapid and just transition from fossil fuel extraction to clean energy and green jobs. Climate change is happening now — the terrible drought, devastating flooding in Houston, Louisiana residents forced to relocate to escape sea level rise. We can’t wait to act. The UT should be telling the story of San Diegans taking a strong stand against this most urgent global threat to our health and prosperity – not ignoring it.
I hope to see greater coverage in the UT on the vitally important issue of climate change.
Sincerely,
Bob Silvern
La Mesa
__________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Editor,
I’m disappointed to see that The UT missed a prime opportunity to feature one of the largest climate change action moments in recent history: “Break Free.” Saturday, May 14, San Diegans joined thousands of people on six continents to send a message that we must #breakfree from fossil fuels in order to secure a safe and healthy planet for human life. I’m hopeful that you’ll cover key climate events like this in the future.
Your reader and neighbor,
Kimberly Tomicich