It’s not “woke” to want to protect our children. Some will feel discussing the implications of the Texas flooding deaths so soon after the tragedy is disrespectful. The same was said following school shootings at Sandy Hook and Uvalde.

I believe that this is exactly the right moment. Delay means that problems get swept under the rug.

Unusual weather events that have become all too commonplace should ignite a national discussion about the climate crisis. The energy lobby has bought and paid for our politicians and buried the truth for many decades. Although no single incident can absolutely be tied to the use of fossil fuels, basic high school science taught us that pumping carbon into a closed system like our atmosphere causes temperatures to rise. Warmer air holds more moisture. Wetter air causes stronger storms. Ocean currents are being disrupted. Wind patterns are changing.

In the face of this phenomenon, a billionaire with a chainsaw was unleashed on the experts who predict the weather. Programs to study the escalating problem have been slashed to the bone. The mere mention of “climate change” can doom your job or research. Federal disaster aid is now the president’s private slush fund, to be doled out to those he favors while we all foot the bill.

If it is woke to protect our children and the future, maybe it’s time our elected officials woke up.

Kim Capenos

Tyrone