Letter to the Editor: Climate change is increasing the frequency of severe weather
Thank you for the four weather and climate change articles in the Wednesday, Aug. 9, edition of the Jeff - specifically the articles about climate change reporting July as the hottest month on record, the Amazon Rainforest meeting and adverse weather disrupting the World Scout Jamboree.
Particularly because climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of severe weather events, weather forecasts and climate change reporting by reliable science-based sources are essential.
Unfortunately, some sources are propagandists usually funded by large dark money interests with financial and/or ideological motives. I believe some books, like Merchants of Doubt by Oreskes & Conway, Dark Money by Jane Mayer and The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars by climate scientist Michael Mann, promote climate change denial, doubt, false solutions, etc.
Global climate change is negatively affecting all the essentials of life — water, favorable temperatures, soil, light, food, clothing, shelter, health, peace and their associated costs (both human and financial).
Based largely on climate models, NASA climate scientist James E. Hansen warned Congress about the greenhouse effect and “global warming” 35 years ago. Subsequently, he said that the “safe level” for atmospheric carbon dioxide was about 350 parts per million. The concentration is now over 415 ppm and climate change is rapidly escalating. Methane (the major component of natural gas) is a potent greenhouse gas that is showing a similar exponential “hockey stick” increase. Moreover, the related health of our oceans is rapidly declining threatening both the world’s climate and food chain.
Better, job-producing strategies are here, rapidly approaching or possible. Hybrid and electric vehicles including 1,000 mpg e-bikes. Economical wind and solar with backup. Small nuclear reactors in about 2030. Carbon capture for some industrial processes. Education of girls and family planning (especially needed in much of Africa). Carbon fee and dividend. Border carbon adjustments, etc.
We, our children and our grandchildren deserve far better. Working together based on sound science, engineering and economics is essential for a better future.
Don Albertson, Cambridge
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Letter: Climate change is negatively affecting the essentials of life
