Op-Ed - The Durango Herald

Wolves and the ‘landscape of fear’

This summer, three of us were hiking in Alaska’s western Brooks Range when we encountered a pack of eight wolves. We were far from any help when they moved toward us, paused and then disappe...

DATE: Sep 1, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed

LEAP will close the opportunity gap for all Colorado kids

Despite the tireless efforts of parents and educators, the COVID-19 pandemic opened our eyes to educational disparities that have existed for decades in Colorado. Our kids have fallen behind...

DATE: Aug 28, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed

Climate change warnings demand action now

“It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land.” – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change The scientifically and politically cautious Intergovernmenta...

DATE: Aug 28, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed

You can take this job and ...

The pandemic disrupted many Americans’ work lives. Some of us – generally highly educated white-collar workers with relatively well-paying jobs – were able to shift to remote work. Millions ...

DATE: Aug 28, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed

Restaurants must become resilient

Over the last few months, most of us in the Durango area have seen the chaos and negative effects of the labor shortage in the food service industry. In addition to disrupting the lives of m...

DATE: Aug 28, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed

A message from the Colorado River

It feels like an apocalypse in the Southwest – wildfires, floods, drought, heat, smoke. This was not the norm when I moved to Colorado 35 years ago. Climate scientists may have predicted the...

DATE: Aug 27, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed

Priest’s advice puts personal choice above others’ safety

When I first heard a priest declare from the pulpit that wearing masks and being vaccinated against the resurgent COVID-19 plague was strictly a matter of individual conscience and personal ...

DATE: Aug 25, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed

Kids can’t wait for COVID-19 vaccines

A few weeks ago I posted on Twitter that I was increasingly furious with the FDA for taking so long to authorize COVID-19 vaccines for children under 12. Then I deleted the tweet, because I ...

DATE: Aug 21, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed

Better Care, Better Jobs Act needed by caregivers, clients

Surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Range on one side and the San Juan Mountains on the other, the San Luis Valley is rich in history, agriculture and people. I live and work here, and as a d...

DATE: Aug 21, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed

Climate change challenges Durango, Colorado

According to the U.N. Panel On Climate Change report, released on Aug. 9, human-caused climate change is rapid, global and intensifying. In the words of U.N. Secretary-General António Guterr...

DATE: Aug 21, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed

Come together for health, safety of Durango’s children

I’m a longtime parent, active volunteer and community member. I’m heartbroken by our seeming inability to come together to support the health and safety of our children. I encourage us to be...

DATE: Aug 17, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed

New Mexico joins Colorado in reducing methane pollution

New Mexico, the third-ranking U.S. oil producer, has taken action to curtail methane pollution from the oil and gas industry, moving it closer to neighboring Colorado’s leadership. Methane i...

DATE: Aug 11, 2021 | CATEGORY: Op-Ed