Congressman Jack Bergman vs. Canadian Smoke

Editor:

Congressman Jack Bergman wants Canada to manage its forests better to eliminate wildfires and alleviate smoke that’s causing hazardous air quality in the U.P. He requests prescribed burns, forest thinning, etc., actions that Canada already implements where possible.

However, Canada has huge remote boreal forests with no road infrastructure, and the majority of fires are ignited by lightning strikes, which makes it difficult to detect and access fires. A major cause of wildfires worldwide is the heating up and drying out of forests due to global warming. Missing from Congressman’s Bergman’s list of required actions is climate change mitigation.

In fact, Congressman Bergman has consistently voted to repeal measures that would reduce global warming. I am urging Congressman Bergman to take action to save us from this hazardous smoke by voting for policies that address climate change!

Diane Opelt

Hancock

Do Something About Climate Change

Editor:

Who wants to play a game? Here are the rules: anyone who can get Congressman Jack Bergman to use the words “climate change,” gets a point. An additional two points will be awarded to anyone who can get the congressman to use “climate change” in the same sentence as “Canadian wildfires.” Finally, five points will be given to any individual who can confirm whether or not Congressman Jack Bergman has experienced the wildfire smoke from his home in Louisiana. Let’s play! We could certainly use the entertainment these days, because the Congressional sheep are getting tiring lately.

Wren Keturi

Pelkie

Praise for public Lands

Editor:

Having spent 55 summers on Isle Royale, I realize that the power of the island in my heart is not only because of its wild nature but because it is public land. The people who have come into my life here have been my teachers, and I treasure the lessons I’ve learned from administrators, electricians, nurses, prison guards, teachers, entomologists, dental hygienists, ministers, and countless other folks.

When people visit the wolf/moose summer research base to learn about moose and wolves, I welcome them into the Bangsund Cabin: “If you pay your taxes, you own this place as much as I do.” And when I ask them to tell me about themselves, I am always inspired by those who love their work, whether paid or volunteer. We humans are such good animals, and we are needed as never before to work together, owning (and learning from) the mistakes we and our ancestors have made.

City planners know that a good way to curb the violence in their communities is to provide easy access to public parks, where people feel welcome. Green spaces remind us of our connections to the healing energy of nature. Conversing with strangers, as people do here on docks and along trails, can restore our faith in each other, just as natural surroundings inspire us to be the good people we were created to be.

Carolyn Peterson

Houghton