I almost hesitate to bring up climate change when we are confronting so many issues. However, as we’ve seen with the virus, ignoring problems does not make them disappear. And unfortunately, we do not have the luxury to wait for less troublesome times to address the unrelenting buildup of greenhouse gases.
Climate change is upon us now. July was the hottest month on record globally, and 2020 will likely be either the first- or second-hottest year. Death Valley just saw what might be the highest temperature in recorded history, 130 degrees. In case you hope 2020 is an anomaly, NASA data shows that 19 of the 20 warmest years have all occurred since 2001.
From deadly heat waves, catastrophic storms, and melting arctic sea ice, to thawing permafrost, rising seas, dying coral reefs, and ever more extreme fire seasons, the fingerprints of climate change are everywhere.
In our region, of course, we are yet again suffering devastating fires amid a heat wave. Hundreds of homes have already been lost and at least 14 people have died. And our fire season usually starts later.
The buildup of greenhouse gases caused primarily by fossil fuel consumption ensures temperatures will continue to rise. But how much depends on what we do now.
A top election year priority should be to find out the candidates’ positions on climate change and then reject those who decline to take it seriously. Take responsibility. Your vote counts.
— Julie Heath, Chico
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September 15, 2020 at 03:53PM
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Letter: We can’t afford to wait on climate change - Chico Enterprise-Record
"wait" - Google News
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