In this Aug. 29, 2017, file photo, water from Addicks Reservoir flows into neighborhoods from floodwaters brought on by Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston. Natural disasters in Texas on the scale of Hurricane Harvey’s will become more frequent because of a changing climate, according to a 2018 report ordered by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in a state where skepticism about climate change runs deep. Credit: David J. Phillip / AP

Letters submitted by BDN readers are verified by BDN Opinion Page staff. Send your letters to letters@bangordailynews.com

As the ability to know what information is true diminishes, tribalism is replacing trying to understand what is going on. It has become easier to say my side right or wrong.

Our democracy depends on building consensus through civil discourse trying to hash out different points of view to come to some point of agreement. We the people are a diverse group and one size will not fit all.

As resources get harder to come by and our environment becomes increasingly hostile to civilization and life in general, humanity will have choices to make as we struggle to survive. Even those at the top of the pyramid will be negatively affected as chaos lurches closer, disrupting our daily lives. All will be tempted to retreat into fear and anger.

Desperation can lead us into hatred. Hatred will always become destructive. This will not provide the answers we need. We need cooled heads and the ability to hear one another in order to discover the answers that will move us toward the American dream of peace and prosperity.

It is important to remember that there are millions of us who hold on to truth and love to be the only answer.

Doug Crate
Winterport

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