Go for the profits that got us into this mess Manhattan: New York City’s 500 miles of coastline leave it vulnerable to rising sea levels, which has led to increased coastal flooding and storm surges. And the heat waves in the city will only increase in number and severity in the next few decades, with annual temperatures increasing by 4 to 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit. New Yorkers will continue to suffer enormously from climate change’s impacts, including property damage, degraded health, and lives lost from ever-increasing extreme weather. Though climate change is largely caused by Big Oil and the burning of fossil fuels, it’s New York taxpayers who are footing the bill. Shouldn’t the oil companies — which made $750 billion in profits between 2021 and 2023 — be asked to bear some of the financial burden in dealing with the consequences of fossil fuel use? It’s bad enough that New Yorkers are suffering through climate change, but by default they are also on the hook for billions of dollars to deal with the associated damages. Gov. Hochul needs to address climate costs while putting fiscal fairness and environmental justice front and center. She must sign the Climate Change Superfund Act (S2129A/A3351A), which would require oil companies that released large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions from 2000 to 2018 to pay apportioned fees totaling $3 billion a year. The funds would then allow for investment in life-saving infrastructure improvements, safeguarding coastal communities from flooding, creating systems to protect people from extreme heat and improving response to environmental and public health threats. Rich Schrader, director of New York government affairs, National Resources Defense Council Make better choices Manhattan: Republicans will continue to win unless Democrats put forth a candidate capable of winning. Democrats have candidates who could have beaten Donald Trump, and they are Cory Booker, Josh Shapiro and Ritchie Torres. Donna Brazile is hurting the Democratic Party more than she is helping it. Edward Drossman A constant danger Hallandale Beach, Fla.: Families in Madison, Wis., are grieving the loss of those who were killed and wounded at Abundant Life Christian School. It’s shocking and unconscionable. We need Congress to act — now. From Newtown, Conn. to Uvalde, Texas to Parkland, Fla. to Madison, and so many other shootings that don’t receive attention, it is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence. We can not continue to accept it as normal. Every child deserves to feel safe in their classroom. Students across our country should be learning how to read and write, not having to learn to duck and cover. I am praying for all the victims, including the teacher and teenage student who were killed and those who sustained injuries. We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart. Paul Bacon Duty to protect Maspeth: I believe it’s long overdue, and I hope that President Trump and JD Vance could come up with a bill and pass it: Every school in the United States of America should have an armed law enforcement officer in the school. If our children are so important, why aren’t we protecting them? Lance Lovejoy Stop droning on New Hyde Park, L.I.: With all the problems around here, like gun violence, people driving while texting or smoking pot, drivers speeding or running red lights, harmful things added to our food, and of course, the loss of freedom and democracy, all we’re worried about is drones? Give me a break! And don’t even give me that nonsense about loss of privacy. You gave that up years ago. Drones are the least of our problems. Bob Wiecezak Instigator Pearl River, N.Y.: To Voicer Darlene Taylor: A person doesn’t have to be armed to kill a person. Hands can do the job. Again, if Jordan Neely didn’t decide to threaten, alarm and scare the crap out of the passengers, as stated by a victim and witness, he would be alive today. Remember, for every action there will be a reaction, the only question is to what degree. People need to be held responsible for their actions and not blame the victims for reacting. Robert Brennan Brutal force Manhattan: I don’t understand why Daniel Penny is being hailed as a hero. Neely was unarmed. The Marine veteran Penny could have knocked Neely out with one or two punches and then held him until the cops came. But to instead put him in a lethal hold and maintain it, even until Neely no longer posed a threat, was not heroic. James Baldwin Don’t believe a word Whitestone: So many people of color decided to vote for t-Rump ‘cuz “eggs are more expensive now,” yadda, yadda, yadda. That butterball promised to lower grocery prices on day one. He has already been vomiting B.S. about how once prices go higher, it’s very hard to bring them down! So much for that day-one promise! Excuse activated. And let’s not forget that he claims to be capable of shutting down the Russian attacks on Ukraine — again, on day one! So don’t worry, Ukraine, you’ll be out of danger on Jan. 21. Most revealing, however, is Daniel Penny killed a person of color on a subway and the Trump/Vance team of MAGATs rewarded him with a day on the town in their private box at a football game because Penny is a hero to them. How could so many of you fall for this crap? Robin Mazzia The dead tell the tale Brooklyn: To Voicer Ephraim Savitt: Israel’s killing of innocent women and children is “utter nonsense”? Apparently, the info you believe to be true regarding Israel’s “actual goal being largely accomplished” hasn’t reached the Israeli military/Netanyahu, because two days ago they killed many more innocent women and children, bringing the death toll to close to 45,000 just in Gaza. C’mon, buddy, take your blinders off. Maybe your home team is the war criminals this time around. Obviously, Ireland, Norway, Spain, Slovenia and South Africa think so, just to name a few. Jim Carney She’s back Ridgefield Park, N.J.: I was actually enjoying my TV Crossword puzzle yesterday and looked up and said no wonder! It read “by Jacqueline E. Mathews.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Carmen J. Rivera Get specific Hackensack, N.J.: In UnitedHealthcare Group CEO Andrew Witty’s recent New York Times op-ed, “The Health Care System is Flawed — Let’s Fix It,” he starts with eulogizing his friend and business colleague Brian Thompson, and that is completely understandable. His next statements: “We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand people’s frustrations with it. No one would design a system like the one we have.” Mr. Witty, your words echo the sentiment of what so many average Americans already know and have experienced for years! Continuing these vague, nebulous statements is not a solution. In fact, you are not even in the ballpark, sir. How about an op-ed where you offer some actual details and ideas, something salient and substantive to address a decades-old problem that you claim to be familiar with and want to fix? Not the same tired words we all have heard. Allan Henderson Behind the curtain Staten Island: Does anyone else realize that Elon Musk is going to be calling all the shots, along with influencing policy for the next four years of the presidency? Trump will be nothing more than a marionette with Musk pulling all the strings. Myra B. Goodman Corruption convergence Manhattan: Very interesting that Trump said he is open to granting Mayor Adams a pardon for his felony Turkish government bribery and campaign finance charges. Is this MAGA crossing party lines because Adams has dirt on the Donald? It seems like the MAGA D.C. swamp will be merging with the woke Democratic NYC swamp. Nothing could be more disgraceful. Patricia Clark Abuser sensitivity Philadelphia: What a relief to learn that Trump was not found liable for raping a woman, to reference a $15 million settlement with ABC News. He was found liable only for sex abuse. Who else but Trump would seek that kind of clarification? What does this conclusion make him? Bruce S. Ticker