Kathleen Sullivan’s discussion of anxiety in our modern world in her Oct. 23 Maine Voices focused on the crux of the problem. When there are 69 percent fewer animal species alive in the world today than 50 years ago, it is no time to advise people to accept change and “go with the flow.” Her wise advice is to find some way to limit environmental change and help nature.

A flare burns off methane and other hydrocarbons as oil pumpjacks operate in the Permian Basin in Midland, Texas. Massive amounts of methane are venting into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations across the Permian Basin, new aerial surveys show. The emission endanger U.S. targets for curbing climate change. David Goldman/Associated Press

Many people buy heat pumps, electric cars and solar panels and recycle, and these efforts are important. I believe in them all, but the most effective single thing you can do is call all your legislators monthly and tell them that climate change is a crucial issue for you and tell them to act.

Such calls are free and make a huge difference. Legislators care about what their constituents say because they know people who call also vote, and their primary objective is to stay in office. That is not cynical – it is the way our system works.

If you join the Citizens Climate Lobby, they will send you an email or text reminder monthly and a short description of current climate legislation that environmentalists hope to pass. Alternatively, just mark it on your calendar once a month and call Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree and tell them to vote for the environment. The Environmental Voter Project estimates that there are 10 million environmentalists in the U.S. who do not consistently vote. What a difference they could make.

Nancy Hasenfus
Brunswick