Editor,

Thank you, Rick Kiser, for your Sept. 3 letter chastising those engaged in civil disobedience near the refineries in Anacortes. There are a couple of things to clarify. First they aren’t protestors, they are defenders. These men and women, young and old, many college educated, understand the science and politics around this issue and are understandably frightened and frustrated. Which is why they are risking their liberty in this way. World and religious leaders know the truth of human-caused global warming. They are also frustrated and frightened by the lack of action, which is why 29-faith based organizations have come together to create an Interfaith Climate Action Conference to be held at University Christian Church on Oct. 8.

We don’t have to speculate about the consequences of inaction. We see the torrential flooding in West Virginia and Louisiana, the firestorms in California and the extreme heat wave in the Middleast where temperatures topped 129 degrees, as examples. Just look how brown the mountains are around us. I urge you to read Pope Francis’s Laudato Si for more insight into this critical issue.

Meanwhile, conservative economists and most businesses agree that we need to tax carbon pollution. They say it will create jobs and propel innovation. That’s why they support I-732 the Carbon Fee and Dividend initiative, and why you should also. Oh, the “garbage” left on the tracks by the defenders? That was their camping gear, which no one was allowed to rescue. The police destroyed it.

So, I urge you to rally the courage to look at the facts objectively, come to the conference and please vote yes on I-732. You too can be a defender of our future. Thank you.

Gary Piazzon

Coupeville