The Dutch are among the world’s leading experts on stopping the sea. After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans called on Dutch engineers to redo the city’s levee system. When Hurricane Isaac hit New Orleans last year, there was little talk about it –– because there was relatively little damage. Now Long Island is looking to the Dutch to help fortify our coast in the event of another Sandy.

That’s all well and good, except for this: If we don’t stop global warming, there will be no coast to protect –– not on Long Island, not in the Netherlands. We must eventually stop burning fossil fuels and switch to alternative forms of energy production –– or else.

Scott Brinton is senior editor of the Bellmore and Merrick Heralds and an adjunct professor at the Hofstra University Graduate Journalism Program. Comments? SBrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203. Brinton’s profile and posts can be found at facebook.com/scottabrinton.