To the editor:

As the City Commission elections draw near, one of the issues we all need to be thinking about is how our community is going to deal with climate change. The City Commission has signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which calls for greenhouse gas emissions to be lower than 1990 levels. Many believe the cuts need to go way beyond 1990 levels, and we need to do it RIGHT NOW!

How will Lawrence develop and grow as a community that burns fewer fossil fuels?

One way for all of us to be a part of the solution and reduce our carbon emissions is to drive less. We need a city infrastructure that supports communitywide efforts to do just that. Citizens can walk more, bike more, keep their vehicles well-maintained, carpool and combine errands. All of these things will make a collective difference. We need to have increased use of public transportation. Our neighborhoods need to be more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly. How far would you have to walk to go to work? How far to buy groceries? How far to check out a book from the library? How far would your kids have to walk to get to school or to the park or to soccer practice?

How will the city commissioner you vote for guide Lawrence through these changes?

Jana White,

Lawrence