to the editor: I have lived in Laguna Beach for over 50 years and it wasn't until the last few years that my wife and I needed air conditioning. Previously, we simply opened the windows and let in the refreshing Pacific breeze. We now use our electric heat pump to cool our house during heat waves. Similarly, many of our neighbors are finding it necessary to install cooling systems as coastal temperatures rise.
Given the current southern heat wave, we were hoping for cooler temperatures driving up the coast to Big Sur, where I'm writing from (“Dozens of temperature records broken across Southern California as historic March heat wave continues” March 18). But the heat seems to have followed us. In the 50 years our family has been visiting this iconic dreamy coastal landscape, we have never experienced such intense spring weather – in the mid-80s.
To dramatically curb planet-warming carbon emissions, Congress must impose a fee on polluters on fossil fuels that endanger a livable climate.
Tom Osborne, Laguna Beach
