Effects on our climate

The United States has just been subjected to two of the most powerful hurricanes in recorded history. Wildfires are raging in Montana and other western states. Flooding in Asia, largely unreported, has claimed 1,200 or more lives. It will take years and hundreds of billions of dollars to recover from these disasters.

EPA head Scott Pruitt and others have said that now is not the time to talk about climate change. If not now, when?

No one is claiming that climate change is responsible for hurricanes or flooding, but it certainly has an impact. Increased ocean temperature adds to the intensity of storms and contributes to record rainfalls. Sea-level rise adds to storm surge, and jeopardizes islands and lowlying coastal areas around the world. Scientists have long predicted an increase in extreme weather conditions, leading to floods, droughts, and wildfires.

The last three years have each been the hottest in recorded history, and July 2017 was the second-hottest month ever recorded. This trend will continue regardless of what we do, but there is still time to reduce the impact of climate change.

There are several nonpartisan proposals for a carbon tax, or carbon fee and dividend, that studies have shown will reduce carbon dioxide emissions without harming the economy. If you would like to protect your grandchildren from the worst effects of climate change, please let your congressional representatives know.

ROBERT BROWN

Bella Vista