Let’s plan now for coming superstorm

The East Bay Times reports California faces an increased threat of a superstorm (“Prospect rises for California Superstorm,” Page A1, Aug. 15). Their ominous warning offers two solutions. But there is only one. We must head for the hills.

Veteran engineer David Peterson warns, “Change where the water goes, or change where the people are.” Nature loves surprises. The world learned this June 12, 1991. Twenty-six thousand survivors escaped to the sea.

In 1991, scientists predicted when Mount Pinatubo would erupt in the Philippines. Thank God we listened. It would prove to be the century’s largest volcanic eruption in a densely populated area. Surprise; Typhoon Yunya lands and turns Pinatubo’s falling ash into cement.

The Marine Corps gave me a front-row seat to this apocalypse. Indeed, hundreds of lives were lost. However, an epic sea evacuation, known as “Operation Fiery Vigil,” saved tens of thousands from a Pompeii-like fate.

What is predictable is preventable.

— Mark R. Clifford, Moraga

Students should keep masks in place

It is disheartening to see that, despite high transmission rates, so many children are in school without masks.

It makes me anxious to send my older son to school. It seems like a no-brainer to require masks of children that are indoors all day with each other, especially when many of those children have younger, unprotected siblings.

I know it may not be a popular choice, but Castro Valley Unified School District should stand up for what is in the best interest of our community and require masks indoors.

— Jessica Klein, Castro Valley

Petersen deserves a place on SRVUSD board

Michelle Petersen, a local mom, parent leader and former firefighter, should fill the seat on the San Ramon Valley Unified School District Board of Education this November that long-time trustee Ken Mintz held.

Michelle is an educational leader and advocate within SRVUSD, most recently as president of Alamo Elementary PTA. She is an effective volunteer leader, community advocate and believes every child deserves to feel a sense of belonging.

SRVUSD is an excellent district and Michelle will work with our community to secure a quality education for all students. Her experience has provided her with the skills to navigate this role and competently represent Area 1, which includes stakeholders zoned for the schools in Alamo, Danville and San Ramon. Vote for a mom who has a child in our district and knows how to get things done.

— Nancy Daetz, Danville

Facts point to keeping Diablo Canyon open

Steven Chu and Jacopo Buongiorno are right (“Diablo Canyon is safe, reliable and can fight climate change,” Page A6, Aug. 10). Keeping the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant open is essential if California is to meet its climate commitments and maintain grid reliability.

Closing the plant will greatly increase the likelihood of blackouts. Even if plans for new renewable generation and battery storage go perfectly, there will be a power generation shortfall of 1800 megawatts in 2025. Keeping Diablo open will eliminate that shortfall.

Closing the plant would greatly slow the reduction in gas generation, resulting in significantly more air pollution and CO2 emissions. To make progress on climate, we must keep all the existing carbon-free generation we have, and use renewables to replace fossil fuels instead.

A majority (58%) of Californians support keeping Diablo open. Support is 74% in the plant’s local area.

— James Hopf, Tracy

Get politics out of climate change fight

It’s such a sad day when partisan politics plays such a role in the climate change issue.

Not one Republican voted for President Biden’s climate and spending package. Does that mean Republicans don’t get hot in 100-degree weather? Their lungs don’t realize smog and they don’t see catastrophes around our Earth?

Democrats are also guilty of similar issues in the past when they didn’t vote with the Republicans. Some issues are just logic.

One thing I’m certain of — even though I’m a Democrat, I will vote for Liz Cheney if she runs for president.

— Jack Gayle, Castro Valley

With federal climate bill passed, it’s state’s turn

It’s no secret that young people are concerned about climate change. However, it already impacts us now, especially in California. Growing up, I remember school being canceled from bad air quality. Sports were shut down, then we couldn’t go outside at school, until eventually, we had to stay home because the exposure to smoky skies was too harmful.

It is crucial, not just for our future, but for the present safety of our communities that we fight climate change. Congress has recently taken steps at the federal level, so now is the time for California to step up with even stronger action. I’m happy that the state Legislature is considering new climate action, and I would strongly urge California to prioritize climate at this turning point, for our communities and our planet.

— Clara Castronovo, Piedmont