# Letters to the Editor **URL:** https://westcentralmnclimate.network/c/letters-to-the-editor/5.md [Latest](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/latest.md) · [Categories](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/categories.md) --- ## [About the Letters to the Editor category](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/about-the-letters-to-the-editor-category/12)
**Author:** [@Susan\_Gilbert](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/Susan_Gilbert)\ **Replies:** 0
Use this category to share and discuss letters to the editor, whether in draft, submitted, or published form. Also share ideas for letters you’d like to see written, tips on how to write an effective letter, etc. --- ## [Are we prepared for a changing climate?](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/are-we-prepared-for-a-changing-climate/236)
**Author:** [@mgm](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/mgm)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2023, 7:10pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/are-we-prepared-for-a-changing-climate/236 "2023-08-24T19:10:59Z")
Letter from Vern Simula published 25 July 2023 in the Stevens County Times. --- ## [Earth Day (Marley L. - April '20)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/earth-day-marley-l-april-20/105)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2020, 2:56pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/earth-day-marley-l-april-20/105 "2020-05-02T14:56:13Z")
I’m writing this on Earth Day, April 22nd, 2020. I’ve always loved taking part and I’m so glad so many people are still participating even during these hard times we’re all facing right now. Earth Day is an important e… --- ## [Lessons from the pandemic to the Climate Crisis (Chris A. - April '20)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/lessons-from-the-pandemic-to-the-climate-crisis-chris-a-april-20/104)
**Author:** [@CKA](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/CKA)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/lessons-from-the-pandemic-to-the-climate-crisis-chris-a-april-20/104 "2020-05-02T14:54:26Z")
Scientists warned us that the coronavirus was going to be a major problem in the US. They urged the government to get ready and to help our hospitals to be prepared to respond. Their predictions were dire. The federal g… --- ## [Noah's Ark and God's Delight (Dan B. - April '20)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/noahs-ark-and-gods-delight-dan-b-april-20/103)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/noahs-ark-and-gods-delight-dan-b-april-20/103 "2020-05-02T14:52:45Z")
As I delight – along with many – in the return of the birds from their southern habitations, watching as Hooded Mergansers, Swans, Loons, geese and other winged creatures make their way north, I can’t help but marvel … --- ## [Small Changes and Bigger Conversations (Ashley D. - 31 March '20)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/small-changes-and-bigger-conversations-ashley-d-31-march-20/96)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2020, 6:25pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/small-changes-and-bigger-conversations-ashley-d-31-march-20/96 "2020-03-29T18:25:01Z")
In February, I attended the West Central MN Climate Network meeting to learn about the waste problem our community is facing. I was so glad to see many experts and community leaders in attendance to discuss this issue. … --- ## [Waste To Become A Bigger Issue (Syd B. - 3 March '20)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/waste-to-become-a-bigger-issue-syd-b-3-march-20/89)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/waste-to-become-a-bigger-issue-syd-b-3-march-20/89 "2020-03-07T19:44:03Z")
Published in the Stevens County Times On Friday, February 21st the West Central MN Climate Network hosted a community meeting in the Morris Senior Center. The topic of the meeting was “Waste” and we were lucky to have … --- ## [Do The Next Right Thing (Rachel J. - 26 Feb '20)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/do-the-next-right-thing-rachel-j-26-feb-20/83)
**Author:** [@rjohnson](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/rjohnson)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 4:11pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/do-the-next-right-thing-rachel-j-26-feb-20/83 "2020-02-26T16:11:24Z")
Posted in the Stevens County Times I would like to lessen my negative impact on the environment, but I often feel overwhelmed by the countless things that I could change and should change in my actions. I recently foun… --- ## [Do What We Do Best, Help Our Neighbors (Zach S. - 26 Feb '20)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/do-what-we-do-best-help-our-neighbors-zach-s-26-feb-20/82)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 4:10pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/do-what-we-do-best-help-our-neighbors-zach-s-26-feb-20/82 "2020-02-26T16:10:18Z")
Posted in the Stevens County Times I spent almost two years working closely with the senior horticulture scientist and horticulture researcher at WCROC. No one kept a closer eye on the yearly seeding and harvest times,… --- ## [Climate Issues Affect Farmers (Amelia N. - Oct '19)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/climate-issues-affect-farmers-amelia-n-oct-19/45)
**Author:** [@amelian](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/amelian)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2020, 8:18pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/climate-issues-affect-farmers-amelia-n-oct-19/45 "2020-01-12T20:18:56Z")
Published in the Stevens County Times Recently, there has been lots of rain which has remained on the fields. My father works not only as a farmer but is also in the drainage tiling business. He is the one that takes t… --- ## [Earth is our Garden (Quinton - 22 Jan '20)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/earth-is-our-garden-quinton-22-jan-20/67)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/earth-is-our-garden-quinton-22-jan-20/67 "2020-02-01T17:59:48Z")
This letter has not been posted yet due to some technical issues that happened last week at the paper. Whether we want to believe it or not, the Earth is like a garden. I realize my saying this will likely draw ire fro… --- ## [Aid the Pollinators (Sue & Nic, 29th Jan 2020)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/aid-the-pollinators-sue-nic-29th-jan-2020/65)
**Author:** [@Susan\_Gilbert](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/Susan_Gilbert)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/aid-the-pollinators-sue-nic-29th-jan-2020/65 "2020-02-01T16:06:06Z")
This is the letter to the editor Nic and I submitted on 29th January. Originally it was about 450 words long and had 7 suggestions. Cutting it down to size meant that some of the fine detail was lost but hopefully the … --- ## [Climate Accountability (Erik M. - 21 Jan '20)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/climate-accountability-erik-m-21-jan-20/59)
**Author:** [@erik](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/erik)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2020, 5:47pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/climate-accountability-erik-m-21-jan-20/59 "2020-01-16T17:47:54Z")
To be posted in the Stevens County Times Climate change wasn’t caused overnight, and it wasn’t the result of mass inaction, but the very deliberate actions of a handful of powerful and greedy people. Under the pressure… --- ## [New Year Resolutions (Josh 7th Jan 2020)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/new-year-resolutions-josh-7th-jan-2020/13)
**Author:** [@Susan\_Gilbert](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/Susan_Gilbert)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2020, 6:28pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/new-year-resolutions-josh-7th-jan-2020/13 "2020-01-15T18:28:53Z")
Here’s Josh Johnson’s letter to the editor. New Year’s resolutions are the pits. Most fail when lofty ambition meets hard reality, and if you can resolve to do something on the 1 st of January, couldn’t you just as eas… --- ## [Electric Bikes! (Emily B. - Dec '19)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/electric-bikes-emily-b-dec-19/44)
**Author:** [@EmilyB](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/EmilyB)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/electric-bikes-emily-b-dec-19/44 "2020-01-15T15:12:34Z")
Published in the Stevens County Times Have you seen me zipping around town on the blue bicycle, long skirts and curly hair flapping a little ridiculously in the prairie breeze? That bicycle—and how it’s changing my e… --- ## [Using Climate Change as an Opportunity (Ed B. - Nov '19)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/using-climate-change-as-an-opportunity-ed-b-nov-19/40)
**Author:** [@EdB](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/EdB)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/using-climate-change-as-an-opportunity-ed-b-nov-19/40 "2020-01-12T20:32:26Z")
Published in the Stevens County Times Climate change is A) the end of the world (or at least of many species including humanity)! B) fake news, one of the greatest hoaxes ever! C) an opportunity to do better (?!). If w… --- ## [Rural Morris is Innovative & Unique (Andrew B. - 14 Jan '20)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/rural-morris-is-innovative-unique-andrew-b-14-jan-20/46)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2020, 2:14am UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/rural-morris-is-innovative-unique-andrew-b-14-jan-20/46 "2020-01-12T02:14:23Z")
I grew up in rural Minnesota and when I arrived in Morris just over four years ago, I assumed I knew exactly what life in Morris would be like. Now that I have graduated from UMN Morris, I can assure you I was wrong on … --- ## [Climate Actions should reflect our Connectedness (Sophie W. - Nov '19)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/climate-actions-should-reflect-our-connectedness-sophie-w-nov-19/43)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2020, 2:08am UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/climate-actions-should-reflect-our-connectedness-sophie-w-nov-19/43 "2020-01-12T02:08:22Z")
Published in the Stevens County Times I am from South Dakota, but you can't tell that by looking at me. Nothing about me gives away the fact that I have to cross a mapped border to get to college, apart from my disas… --- ## [Avoiding the Thanksgiving Nightmare (Makayla M. - Nov '19)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/avoiding-the-thanksgiving-nightmare-makayla-m-nov-19/42)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2020, 2:06am UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/avoiding-the-thanksgiving-nightmare-makayla-m-nov-19/42 "2020-01-12T02:06:33Z")
Published in the Stevens County Times Many know a climate change denier personally, but speaking up about your beliefs amongst friends and family can be a scary thing to do. However, speaking up is vital to raising awa… --- ## [Nitrate Pollution of our Water Sources (Linnea G. - Nov '19)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/nitrate-pollution-of-our-water-sources-linnea-g-nov-19/41)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2020, 2:05am UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/nitrate-pollution-of-our-water-sources-linnea-g-nov-19/41 "2020-01-12T02:05:30Z")
Published in the Stevens County Times Although pollution from industries and sewers has decreased over the last few decades, nutrient pollution coming from runoff from our lawns, roads, and agriculture increasingly p… --- ## [On Bill Kehoe's Response to Climate Strike (Athena K. - Sept '19)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/on-bill-kehoes-response-to-climate-strike-athena-k-sept-19/17)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2020, 12:28am UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/on-bill-kehoes-response-to-climate-strike-athena-k-sept-19/17 "2020-01-11T00:28:50Z")
Published in the Stevens County Times Dear editor: On Thursday, September 19 and Friday, September 20 students and others gathered to learn about global climate change and to engage in the effort to slow its effects. … --- ## [Community Values, Community Action (Syd B. - Oct '19)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/community-values-community-action-syd-b-oct-19/20)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2020, 12:30am UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/community-values-community-action-syd-b-oct-19/20 "2020-01-11T00:30:55Z")
Published in the Stevens County Times On September 20th over 4 million people from over 150 different countries left their schools or workplaces and took to the streets to demand transformative action on the Climate Cr… --- ## [My first detention (Kaia A. - Oct '19)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/my-first-detention-kaia-a-oct-19/21)
**Author:** [@syd](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/syd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2020, 12:35am UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/my-first-detention-kaia-a-oct-19/21 "2020-01-11T00:35:25Z")
Published in the Stevens County Times I am in 8th grade and today I served my first detention, and I’m proud: proud that I was brave enough to leave school to go to this event that was important to me. The event in par… --- ## [Focus on Connection to Land (Noelle M. - Oct '19)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/focus-on-connection-to-land-noelle-m-oct-19/35)
**Author:** [@nomuzz](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/nomuzz)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2020, 10:27pm UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/focus-on-connection-to-land-noelle-m-oct-19/35 "2020-01-11T22:27:20Z")
Published in Stevens County Times Nowadays, whenever we hear about environmental issues, usually highly polarized, political images come to mind. With everyone so focused on incoming doom and huge political issues that… --- ## [Embrace Morris Model Goals (Nancy C. - Oct '19)](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/embrace-morris-model-goals-nancy-c-oct-19/39)
**Author:** [@Nec](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/Nec)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2020, 2:00am UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/embrace-morris-model-goals-nancy-c-oct-19/39 "2020-01-12T02:00:39Z")
Published in the Stevens County Times I was recently lucky enough to learn more about the “Morris Model” and the work that has already been done to make our community more resilient to the challenges ahead, from the …