Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Sept. 7, 2021

Fight climate change by banning single-use plastic

In early August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued its latest report on our climate crisis. Described as a “code red” for humanity, with summary assessments from scientists like “we are out of time,” Marin citizens might be wondering what to do. The good news is that each one of us can do many things. When multiplied by others’ actions, it will bring the changes we need to avoid total calamity.

One impactful step we can take is to demand a halt to single-use plastic, with foodware as an easy start. While there are so many reasons to feel outraged by plastic waste, most people don’t make the connection to fossil-fuel use — the core of our climate crisis. But it is true that single-use plastic is made from fossil fuel.

I believe that oil and gas companies see plastic as a replacement revenue stream as we move to renewable energy sources and electric vehicles. It’s why the fossil-fuel industry has plans to increase plastic production by 40% in the next decade with development of 700 new plants underway.

We can make reusables the new normal, but we need leadership here in Marin County. An ordinance was underway with the Board of Supervisors until concerns surrounding transmission of COVID-19 halted the passage in 2020. But now there is no excuse. New evidence and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the Food and Drug Administration, show no concern for reusable foodware in COVID-19 transmission.

Marin needs to catch up with neighboring Bay Area counties like San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara. The good news for businesses is that ample evidence (from actual case studies) shows that unburdening from single-use foodware saves a substantive amount of money.

This is a win in so many ways: for climate-change mitigation, businesses, humans and all life. Contact your supervisor for ordinance action now.

— Susan Hopp, Mill Valley

Voters should definitely pick a candidate in recall

I have to respond to Martin Russell’s misguided letter from Sept. 1, in which he advises voters not to answer question two on the recall ballot.

If we do not vote for a candidate and the recall passes, then the candidate with the most votes will win. That candidate could win with a small fraction of the votes, so it behooves us all to at least choose someone with a decent head on his or her shoulders.

This recall process is a sham, not only because so many people don’t totally understand how it works, but because it is so close to the end of the term.

— Phillipa Lion, Mill Valley

Time to vote political corruption out of office

Tell me, when will we ever get serious about what an unsustainable disaster we are creating in our Golden State? Those who support Gov. Gavin Newsom say wildfires, drought and the coronavirus pandemic are not his fault. That may be true to a point, but why is he saying California is “roaring back?” How can people say the recall election is shameful just because Newsom is trying hard?

Electing a Republican for one year would give us a chance to see what it’s like to have a governor outside the corrupt political machine. It’s the same corruption ensuring we will never solve the problems facing California.

Look at the rather large list of donors to Newsom’s campaign. A vote for Newsom means the same corporate supremacy and the same stupidity we have always seen. We must send a message.

No, it will not be perfect. There is a long road ahead. Letting go of illusions is a first step. I urge voters to recall Newsom.

— Guy Meyer, San Anselmo

It’s a bad call to leave one question unanswered

In his recently published letter to the editor, it is clear Martin Russell obviously does not understand the gubernatorial recall election process. His statements only confuse voters and encourage them to give up their vote. It was irresponsible.

The ballot contains two distinct and separate questions: Should Newsom be recalled? Who should succeed him if he is recalled?

If a majority votes no on question one, the second question becomes moot. Question two only comes into play if a majority votes yes on question one. Voting for a candidate on question two has absolutely no impact on the results of question one. Voters who choose not to vote on question two are in no way canceling their vote on question one.

Those who leave the ballot blank on that question are actually giving up their franchise — their opportunity to select a successor in case Newsom is recalled.

— Stephen C. Brown, Tiburon