If there is one issue Eastern Shore Democrats and Eastern Shore Republicans should strive to come together and address, it is the threat of climate change. The effects of climate change have an impact on every aspect of our Eastern Shore way of life. Stronger storms bring worse hurricane seasons with more damages to our property; more severe weather events like droughts and flooding, which effect our two largest industries (farming and tourism); and rising sea levels and tidal flooding already damage our coastal communities.

Even if it is just this one issue for now, let’s show the people of the Eastern Shore and the entire state that our political system does work and that Democrats and Republicans can come together to find solutions to the issues we face. Let us bring leaders across the Shore, from the local and state level, and experts on this matter to sit down and discuss ways we can get all the information needed to determine what risks our communities face and begin discussing ways that we can start addressing the issue proactively. At the end of the day, we all want the same things: a better future, safety, and prosperity for the Eastern Shore. We just differ on how we get there on some issues.

My hope is that local leaders--whether you are a party member, an elected official, community activist, or whomever--will see this article and have the courage to reach out and have a conversation about starting something up. Only then can we truly begin to put politics aside and start addressing this issue.