In 1970, my third grade class had a party. first earth day. Beyond our interpretation, I can’t say I remember much about how we marked this event. “Air” from the Broadway musical “Hair” under construction. But I’m sure the stories my teacher, Miss D, told so heavily about the endangered oceans, trees, animals, and atmosphere, would never happen in my lifetime. I remember doingIndeed, it can If something happens, the adults will handle it – that’s their job, right? This wasn’t something I or my schoolmates had to worry about.
i was eight years old. What did I know?
More than 50 years after that April day, our planet is in dire straits. Several days this week, evening news programs are dominated by stories about extreme weather affecting nearly every part of the country.Thermal domes trapped from Arizona to Florida Over 80 million in stifling temperatures. Phoenix has been, and will continue to be, 12 days in a row, Maximum temperature over 110 degrees.
In coastal Los Angeles County, landslide forcing evacuation. At least a dozen houses on the hillside have collapsed as the ground beneath them continues to change. At a press conference on Monday, Janice HerrnThe county superintendent, who represents the area, said the cause was under investigation but that “initial thinking” was that it could be related to landslides. A series of unrelenting storms hit California and caused floods and landslides earlier this year.
Next is Vermont. The waters that flooded parts of Montpelier, the state capital, are receding, but Governor Phil Scott said the various crises caused by the “historic and devastating” floods that left thousands homeless and out of work. warned that “it’s not over yet.” “
On Monday, he spoke of devastating flooding in Vermont. Ginger Ji, ABC News Chief Meteorologist“Climate scientists say more extreme rainfall events like this are likely because humans are driving the planet’s natural warming.”
This is a man-made disaster. We have spent decades avoiding exactly what is happening now. record hottest day ever It is becoming commonplace on earth.Insurance companies ignore states that: California and Florida This is because of the large-scale and large amount of damage caused by the abnormal weather.
to testify before Congress, carl saganThe renowned astronomer and author spoke about global dependence on fossil fuels and how their uncontrolled use is causing climate change. “There is a problem that transcends our particular generation here. It is an intergenerational problem. will be.”
It was 1985. I’m ten years older now than when Sagan made these prescient comments. Climate denialism is now at war with climate catastrophe. And those serious problems go beyond Sagan’s predictions and what Miss D tried to hammer into our little heads on the first Earth Day, worryingly and perhaps irrevocably. exists here.
Renee Graham is a columnist for The Globe. You can contact her at renee.graham@globe.com. follow her on her twitter @Lenny Graham.
