A recent closure of Casco Bay shellfish beds reflects changes occurring in Casco Bay. There is no way to predict exactly how this will play out. What we know is that historical patterns of fishing will change. People will be out of work, and the culture and traditions of the people that depend on a healthy, somewhat predictable ocean will erode.

Casco Bay is warming faster than 99 percent of the world’s oceans. Acidification and the colonization of warm-water predators are diminishing the native species that populate the bay. Scientists are in agreement about the role that the burning of fossil fuels plays in precipitating these changes.

It is time for elected officials to support legislation aimed at tackling the causes of climate change. The bipartisan House Climate Solutions Caucus mission is to promote actions aimed at reducing the risk of continued climate change.

I call on Rep. Bruce Poliquin to join with a Democratic representative in becoming a member of the caucus. A fee on carbon with revenue returned to households finds support among conservatives and businesses. Poliquin has expressed the desire to clean up the environment. Recently, he spoke on the House floor on behalf of the Brownfields Program. Cleaning up from past environmental insults is important, but the worst insult of all has been to the earth’s climate and, it follows, the future quality of life on our planet.

Let’s put aside differences and work together to find solutions to a common threat.

Roberta Brezinski, Durham