Our need to replace carbon-intensive fuels with clean, renewable sources of energy is more pressing than any local or short-term issue.

Our nation needs effective action on climate and energy more than it needs any one senator to be re-elected.

In poll after poll, Americans have shown their strong desire for action on climate change.

When our senators return to Washington, they should put aside any misplaced loyalties and re-election concerns, and vote for a strong climate and clean energy bill.

The U.S. Senate finished its session without finishing its job.

More than anything else in America today, we need an effective climate and clean energy bill.

We need to replace carbon-intensive fuels with clean, renewable sources of energy. And yet senators failed to deliver on this most vital of issues, in many cases — and despite their stated reasons — because their re-election is being funded by fossil fuel industries.

Such senators do not serve the people.

When senators Feinstein and Boxer return from California to Washington in September, they must do two things:

Firstly, press leadership to introduce a strong climate and clean energy bill and vote for it, putting aside any local or short-term concerns.

Secondly, push for a radical change in Congressional campaign financing, so that senators no longer feel constrained to vote against the interests of the people.

We expect no less of them.

Gavin Ostrom, Roseville