We are in the midst of a climate emergency. To deal with this emergency it has been said that we need a WWII-scale mobilization on all levels from the local to the international. On the local level here in my hometown of Freeport, a group of us are encouraging L.L.Bean, with its reputation for being a good steward of the environment, to become a leader in this effort. L.L.Bean, with their good reputation, could enlist other large retailers such as Costco into a Coalition of Concerned Corporate Citizens. This coalition, with their combined economic influence, could then encourage Citibank, who services their credit cards, to stop financing new fossil fuel infrastructure. If we are to avoid climate chaos, all new fossil fuel infrastructure and exploration must stop now. This is a recent warning from the International Energy Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. To avoid this predicted climate chaos, we must all come together with the goal of creating a healthy, sustainable, fair and equitable future for coming generations. We are all in this together.

William Rixon
Freeport