To the editor:

We cannot stop global warming, but if we act immediately and quickly, scientists assure us that we can reduce the size of the calamity. Now, for our children and grandchildren, let us screw our courage to the sticking place and do the right things. Communities across the country are already at work, and we in Lawrence should join them to do at least the following:

¢ Reduce energy consumption and emission of heat-trapping gases. Walk, bike and use the T instead of our cars whenever we can. Install clean, renewable energy systems, insulate homes, recover old and support new forms of mass transit, and build and buy nothing that isn’t needed. Use what we have; reuse and recycle.

¢ Strengthen the local economy. Shop at locally owned businesses. City and county governments should offer seed money and other incentives to local entrepreneurs who want to produce what we need to live. Food processors, small wind turbine and solar panel manufacture, small dairies and a cheese-making plant make great sense.

¢ Strengthen our local food system. Harvest rainwater, grow vegetables, find a permanent, year-round home for the farmers market, buy local food, plant empty lots in community gardens and protect local and regional farms from economic ruin and development.

We have a City Commission election coming up. We should ask candidates how they will help us secure long-term community health and stability.

Jane W. Gibson,

Lawrence