Our climate is changing, and rapidly. The evidence is all around us. One result of our changing climate is the increased frequency of weather and weather-related extremes across the Earth–stifling and dangerous heatwaves, prolonged and profound drought, torrential rain leading to deadly and destructive flooding, inexorable sea level rise, explosive wildfires and then smoke affecting skies, air quality, and health thousands of miles away, lives lost, homes and businesses destroyed, huge economic losses, and on … the consequences touch all of us everywhere.
Poor countries, rich countries, poor people, rich people, young, old–we are all affected. But, the poor, the old, the very young, the sick, and people of color–they often bear the heaviest burden.
Climate models and research have predicted what we are currently seeing for more than 30 years. But we–as a society–have not acted.
What will it take for strong, constructive bipartisan action on a national and international level? Will the common good ever overcome greed, corruption, and power-seeking?
Is it too late?
Read these:
*Fountain, H. & Schwartz, J. (2021, July 16). ‘It is All Connected’: Extreme Weather in the Age of Climate Change: The storm that brought flooding and devastation to parts of Europe is the latest example of an extreme weather event. More are expected. New York Times.
*Sengupta, S. (2021, July 17). ‘No One is Safe’: Extreme Weather Batters the Wealthy World: Floods swept Germany, fires ravaged the American West and another heat wave loomed, driving home the reality that the world’s richest nations remain unprepared for the intensifying consequences of climate change. New York Times.
For more information, see the Extreme weather and climate change: the connections and impacts bibliography — https://sciencebibliographies.strategian.com/extreme-weather-and-climate-change-the-connections-and-impacts/
And, search the Science Primary Literature database.
Questions? Please let me know (engelk@grinnell.edu).
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