Editors, Vineyard Gazette;

It appears that the acrimony over the access to and management of our beaches continues unabated. First, a few facts.

According to the Trustees of Reservations State of the Coast Report in 2021, since the late 1800s, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket combined have lost almost 3,300 acres of coastal areas or about 5.1 square miles due to erosion-roughly the size of 2500 football fields. FEMA modeling of future coastal erosion on the islands predicts up to 3,000 acres of coastline are at risk of eroding by 2050.\

Concerned Vineyard residents would do well to consider the following:

The overwhelming consensus of climate scientists is that global warming is real and urgent and is primarily due to human activities which have accelerated since the start of the industrial revolution.

Be respectful of those with whom you disagree.

Stay informed about climate information as it becomes available.

In our present lives, be eco-friendly and considerate of the environment of this small, fragile, beautiful Island that we call home.

Kevin R. Loughlin

Edgartown