The following letter was sent to Sen. John Barrasso.

I live on an Island that will be significantly impacted by sea level rise and extreme weather as a result of global climate change. I have spent the last 14 years, since retiring from living and working in Washington, D.C. (including 15 years of federal government service) on efforts relating to land conservation, water, habitat and natural resource protection. I am an informed citizen.

I write to encourage you to take the informed, moral and ethical stand to support the existing federal legislation as well as the Environmental Protection Agency regulations that protect our humanity, our world and our globe from the environmental degradation and eventual calamity. No amount of denying proven science will change this fact: we in the United States of America must act now and concertedly to care for our environment.

Please stop supporting President Trump and the far right wing of your party on its path to destroy our environment. Please be a true leader and stand up for principles based on fact. Every voting citizen will be watching your words and actions as committee chair.

Sally Appenzellar
Oak Bluffs