Letter: Make polluters pay

With the disastrous Hurricane Helene causing at least 250 deaths and $110 billion in damages, and Hurricane Milton devastating the Florida coast, we are reminded almost daily that our world is rapidly warming.

Climate change is making extreme weather events like Helene and Milton more frequent and intense, with the average household now losing $1,900 per year due to climate disasters.

While communities are left to rebuild, fossil fuel companies continue to profit from the very pollution driving these catastrophes, making $2.4 trillion in 2023 alone!

New research shows that tropical storms result in thousands of additional deaths over the 15 years following the event, highlighting the long-lasting impact on public health and community resilience.

It's time for Big Oil to be held accountable for their role in the climate crisis. The Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act proposes creating a $1 trillion fund over 10 years to address climate impacts and build resilience.

The "Make Polluters Pay" agenda is about restoring balance and justice in our fight against climate change. It's time for fossil fuel companies to bear the cost of the climate crisis they've fueled, rather than leaving taxpayers and vulnerable communities to shoulder the burden. By implementing both state and federal climate superfund legislation, we can hold these corporations accountable, fund critical climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, and build a more resilient future for all.

Ron Sadler

Carson City