Our climate is changing — rapidly. This is a fact.
Whether you believe it is due to a natural cycle that has been occurring for thousands of years, or because man’s carbon dioxide emissions have gotten completely out of control, or both, climate change’s impact on our society is something that needs to be addressed at the national, state and local levels.
In most of the scientific community, global warming has been addressed as a real concern with real outcomes.
The Union of Concerned Scientists acknowledges there is a 90 percent probability that human activities are the reason for temperature increases in the last 50 years.
In the last year, the people of the United States alone have suffered through 12 weather and climate disasters costing more than $1 billion each to resolve, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Globally, the impact and cost has been much greater. Ignoring the imminent crises that result from rapid global climate change is a mistake that many have already paid the price for: Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake that devastated Japan earlier this year, the tornadoes across the South — the list goes on.
Preparing to cope with natural disasters is costly, and for many years has been considered risky. Now, the evidence is irrefutable.
This editorial board believes we are facing a new age in natural disasters and we cannot afford to ignore them.
Natural disasters have been drastically increasing in power per square foot, said Bill McKibben, nationally-recognized environmental journalist.
It is time to take action on all levels.
Make small changes in your day-to-day life that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Visit the Union for Concerned Scientists article “Ten Personal Solutions” for more information. Write, call or email your state and national representatives encouraging them to address climate change seriously to protect our environment and our future.
We can agree to disagree on the reason why there is a rapid increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters, but we have to acknowledge it is time to start taking their impact on our lifestyle seriously.
The editorial board is comprised of Editor-in-Chief Paige Collins, Managing Editor Marissa Abruzzini and Opinion Editor Sarah Aitchison.
Related articles:
