Guest Commentary

Jeff Davi, Carmel Realtor: For over a century, the Monterey Peninsula relied on the Carmel River as its primary source of water. But the State Water Board has issued orders that will preclude most of that use in the future. A California American Water desalination plant would would remove salt from seawater and make it drinkable, averting what could be a water crisis. The California Coastal Commission should approve the project.

Liz Bergeron, Pacific Crest Trail Association: Shortchanging our public lands is shameful and shortsighted given their value. The Pacific Crest Trail Association not only supports tackling the maintenance backlog, we support full and permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Joe Buscaino, National League of Cities: Presidential candidates must commit to helping solve our housing and homelessness crises. Candidates should tell voters what their plan is to make sure every person has a place to call home. And whoever is elected in November must commit himself or herself to fulfilling a pledge to provide housing for all.

Stacy Torres, UC San Francisco: Before you toss off an “Ok Boomer” or a head-shaking, “Kids these days,” first consider our linked lives and destinies. Young people must understand that supporting policies to help elders increases their livelihoods. And elders can be more proactive in pushing for programs and policies that invest in young people’s well-being and growth.

Heather Cooley, Pacific Institute: California has a chance to model what a truly resilient water system looks like, combining nature and technology to make the most of every drop and dollar. Reuse reduces the need to divert water from streams already stressed by rising temperatures and shrinking snowpack and can curb ocean pollution associated with sewage outfalls.

Richard Thomason, Blue Shield of California Foundation: California can afford to invest more in the prevention of domestic violence. Research shows we can’t afford not to invest in research and programs to do the difficult work to stop the cycle of harm so that we can create a new generation of Californians who are safer and stronger than ever before.

Dr. Gilmore Chung, Venice Family Clinic: With the increased risk posed by the rise in fentanyl in our region, time is running out. Every Narcan prescription, every test for fentanyl in street drugs and every person who asks for help represent another chance to improve someone's health, prevent an unnecessary death and ultimately provide hope.

Kathay Feng, California Common Cause: We are in a time when there are so many people who seek to sow divisions among Americans. I’m looking for the presidential candidate who presents a vision for how people can find common ground through uncommon solutions to create a democracy that works for all of us.

Horacio Amezquita, general manager of San Jerardo housing cooperative in Salinas: Since 1990, the people of San Jerardo have drilled one well after another, only to see each closed as a result of agricultural contamination including nitrates and pesticides. Our children and our elders have develop painful rashes as a result. We worry about other health impacts from this stew of contaminants.

Robert Lempert, RAND Corporation: As California and our nation head into uncharted territory due to climate change, all of us will need to learn how to adjust in response to changing risks. We will all need to become more adaptive by acting, learning, and responding. To survive our changing climate, we will need to understand that even what looks familiar no longer is.