I have two granddaughters and a grandson that live close to me in the Bellevue area and they belong to a fishing and hunting clan. I hope they will enjoy the fishing and hunting in Washington that I have since moving here from Montana in the 1950’s, and that our three children have since the 1970’s.

I am concerned about the possible impacts that could come from climate change. What toll might global warming take on our diverse fish and wildlife? Our steelhead and salmon are already stressed with low summer flows and increased water temperatures in some areas.

More than just an ecological issue, this is an economic issue. Degradation of habitat and loss of wildlife would mean a loss of recreation dollars. In 2006, 764,000 Washington hunters and anglers spent more than $1.4 billion on hunting and fishing in Washington, which in turn provided approximately 20,000 jobs in the state (USFWS Survey). The cost of not confronting global warming head-on is incalculable. Potential unraveling of our ecosystem and natural resources has exponential ramifications.

And more than an economic issue, this is a moral issue. I want to believe that my grandkids will be able to take their grandkids fishing.

We will be paying close attention to what our state senator, Rodney Tom, and state representatives, Deb Eddy and Ross Hunter do about global warming. As an outdoorsman, conservationist and doting grandfather, I ask them to make global warming a top priority. I believe the voters of the 48th district do support this priority.

John McGlenn

Yarrow Point