Dear Editor,
The World Wildlife Federation’s Living Planet Report 2024 warned that there has been a 73% decline in monitored wildlife populations between 1970 and 2020. Nature loss and climate change are the major drivers of this decline.

What’s bad for the animals is bad for humans, too. We need clean air and clean water, and we can all agree that pollution of air and water is bad.

What can we do to make an impact?
We can buy energy efficient appliances and vehicles. These save money in the long run while belching less carbon into the atmosphere. We can cut our use of plastic by using reusable shopping bags, skipping straws and eating in. Solar panels are also a great investment here in the Sunshine state.

The biggest impact, however, comes from contacting our members of congress. Polluters are degrading our environment and our health, and it is our moral obligation to protect nature and future generations.

Our Senators and Representatives will not know that we are paying attention and that we care about the public health impacts of pollution unless we contact them. We all have a patriotic role to play by speaking up for innovation and newer, cleaner solutions.

Please let your voice be heard. Visit citizensclimatelobby.org/get-loud-take-action/ for more information.

Ellen Cruse lives in Cocoa Beach and is a volunteer with the Space Coast chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization that empowers everyday people to work together on climate policy. Find out more at cclusa.org