Recent polls suggest the public is ``bored'' with climate change. That's too bad. Carbon-dioxide levels have us a hair's-breadth away from permanent global changes with dire consequences.

We must dial back now, and this requires both individual and collective measures, including national and international enforcement of new emission standards.

Get serious, everyone -- if we have real leaders in office, they will work hard at every level to bring home the message that we are all implicated in the problem and its solution. It's time for creativity and thinking about -- and acting -- for the greater good.

MARTHA OTIS, Miami

An overreaction

I am amazed at the reaction to Bob Griese and his harmless statement regarding a Hispanic car driver as being out eating a taco. I wonder if the reaction would have been the same if Griese said Dan Marino or Tommy Lasorda were out eating pasta. I think not.

Sometimes we overreact when it comes to certain ethnic or racial groups who feel insecure in our society -- to the point of finding fault even when it doesn't exist.

PHILIP MARRACCINI, Homestead

Classy UM fans

We flew down from South Carolina for the University of Miami-Clemson game and were met by very classy Miami fans. From the clerk at Walgreens to the group who parked behind us in the parking lot to the Miami fans we sat near in Section 414, all greeted us with respect, a fun attitude and sportsmanship.

Throughout the exciting game, we talked with those around us and felt comfortable rooting for the Tigers when they scored.

After the game, several 'Canes fans congratulated us on our win. It can be difficult at times going to an opponent's field and rooting for our Tigers, but UM fans made us feel welcome, and it was much appreciated. We hope we can reciprocate when you visit us in Clemson.

MARK AND JAN GLENN, Rock Hill, S.C.

Other vaccines

While the media focus on the H1N1 vaccine, an equally important story is being overlooked. The global health community set a world record this year with vaccines based on a report from the WHO, World Bank and UNICEF. More children than ever are vaccinated against diseases such as polio and measles. New vaccines offer even more hope that we can win the fight against the leading child killer, pneumonia, which claims almost two million young lives each year.

Yet while vaccinations are at world record highs, we are still not done offering every child the chance to grow up safely and healthy. Almost one in five children born each year does not receive all of the immunizations they need before their first birthday. Children continue to die needlessly from diseases that we rarely think about in the United States.

On Nov. 2 the global community will join hands for the first World Pneumonia Day. We have the power to protect children. With champions for children such U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, together we can gain enough momentum to stand for the world's children.

JEANETTE ADAMS, assistant professor, University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables

Fulfilling day

It was a fulfilling morning when I saw the Oct. 21 story, Taking root, which outlined the incredible community garden initiated and embraced by Marvin Dunn in Overtown.

Students from the eighth grade at the Miami Country Day School spent a morning at the garden tilling soil, tending to leafy greens and giving back to the community as part of their service-learning day focused on hunger, homelessness and poverty in Miami.

The overarching goal for the day was to dispel myths with on- and off-campus activities. The day started with a Hunger Banquet in Garner Center, followed by visits to four shelters around town. They visited, served food and met with homeless men, women and children. Through this, they got a first-hand impression of what it means to be homeless.

eighth-grade sponsor, Miami Country Day School, Miami