Make climate part of conversation

To the editor:

When I was a kid in the 1970s, I lived about an hour and some change away from Los Angeles. I distinctly remember there being days on which we were not allowed to play when recess came. By play I mean we weren't allowed any equipment, such as balls or jump ropes, and we weren't allowed to run either. We simply stood around. Why? Smog. Dirt in the air so thick I can still remember the taste of it. That was almost 40 years ago.

Now I live in Iowa City, and recently I was driving behind a truck which was belching out black smoke as it went along. I again tasted the dirt in the air, and thought: What have we been doing to the Earth all this time?

Climate change is real; it's not just a phrase scientists use. We need to make this issue a part of the conversation everyone has - around dinner tables, coffee mugs and caucuses.

In the coming months, political hopefuls will be visiting our state with more frequency. We need to ask the pointed questions of our soon-to-be-elected leaders: 'What are you personally going to do in regards to climate change?” The time is now.

Sarah Hunnicutt

Iowa City