Remember when you didn’t need an air conditioner in Tacoma? Climate is changing us | Opinion

Weather getting more extreme

I write this with a sense of cynicism because I am tired—tired of worrying about earthquakes, Mt. Rainier erupting, landslides, flooding, and now, hurricanes.

Western Washington used to be a place where having an air conditioner was a joke, with people saying, “Two days of suffering is free.” Now, summer stretches into October, and we face record temperatures nearly every year. We also contend with atmospheric rivers, more intense wildfires, and the landslides I mentioned. It’s clear that things are changing.

I’m not a weatherman, so I can’t definitively say that climate change caused the bomb cyclone we experienced yesterday. However, I am a betting man, and I would wager this won’t be the last extreme weather event we see.

It’s time we acknowledge these changes and take action to protect our community and environment. We can no longer afford to ignore the signs.

Michael Humkey, Tacoma

CPR is a lifesaver

I’m alive today because my husband knew CPR and I received lifesaving defibrillation. After my cardiac arrest, I notice anytime I see an AED, and more importantly, whenever I don’t.

At the time, I was an elementary school mom. What if my cardiac event happened while I was at school? Or if another parent, child or coach had a cardiac arrest during an extracurricular activity? Would people nearby know what to do?

I joined Go Red for Women with the American Heart Association to use my second chance at life for good. That includes advocating for policies that give schools resources to plan for and respond to a cardiac emergency. Fortunately, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEARTS Act, which would improve the chain of survival in schools. Now, the Senate must ensure this legislation is finalized by year-end.

I am here today not because of luck, but because my family knew what to do. Just in the case of a cardiac arrest, there is no time to spare. Congress has the power to help make sure that all families can have a happy ending, like mine.

Kyra Smithlin, Puyallup

Windows 10 support should continue

All previous Windows operating system versions were supported by Microsoft for at least ten (10) years after their final release. Now we have Microsoft only supporting Windows 10 for two (2) years after its final release?

Microsoft’s can only claim they are treating support for Windows 10 the same as previous versions of Windows, or even MS-DOS for that matter, if they use the original release date for Windows 10 back in 2015.

Windows 10 End of Support, if previous business practices were followed, would not be until 2032.

The number of computers still running Windows 10 is incalculable. End of Support means that these computers, all of which are perfectly fine with Windows 10 and their current hardware, will have to be replaced. The amount of money this involves is far more than enough to ensure the government defends Microsoft and thwarts all the legal actions that are sure to come.

If you think this does not affect you, think again. Think about all the things you have that are over two (2) years old. Then think about what it will cost to replace all of them when you cannot get parts or service. It always rolls downhill!

Brad White, Grapeview