In the wake of the United Nations’ alarming report on global emissions, it is clear that decisive government action on climate change should be a top national priority (“Progress in reducing idle emissions”, Page A3, 25 October). It is alarming to learn that the current commitments made by countries under the Paris Agreement, if met, would produce only a 3% to 11% reduction in emissions by 2030, given the 28% to 43% reductions necessary to prevent catastrophic warming.

Despite growing public awareness of the growing dangers of rising emissions, climate policy has fallen behind inflation and immigration as major voter issues. The candidates either played down the comments about global warming or called it a hoax.

The disheartening inertia and denial of politicians underscores the critical importance of holding elected leaders accountable for tangible solutions to this existential threat. Politicians who trivialize the climate crisis cannot be trusted with our collective future.