Dear Editors of the NewCanaanite,
As a college student studying Political Science and Environmental Studies at Lehigh University, I have become acutely aware of the issue of climate change. After Donald Trump’s recent election, however, my concern for our planet has only grown. This is perhaps compounded by the fact that I took a class in environmental policy this fall, which emphasized the importance of legislation to bring about positive change. For this reason, I wanted to share my initial reactions to Trump’s win over Hillary Clinton.
Tree at Waveny. AH photo
After realizing Mr. Trump’shistorical victory early that morning, I groggily looked out my windows at the familiar trees. They looked so peacefully encased in hazy, autumn air. Innocent, even. I froze, however, as Mr. Trump’s comments on climate change raced through my mind. The fear that I felt has not left me since, but it is not a fear of his potential policy changes. Trump’s antithetical views will likely reverse the years of progress we have made. I thus fear for our capability as citizens of the Earth to save ourselves before it is too late. Can we do it?
Best regards,
Charlotte Risom
Lehigh University ‘19
New Canaan, CT
Thank you for your concern and commitment! It will take all of us working together, especially at State and local levels, to not only prevent the rollback but to continue making progress. We are lucky to have engaged citizens like you in New Canaan.
Despite what is taught in many colleges today, the fact is that the science of climate change is far from “settled.” While most climate scientists that I’m aware of believe that Man is contributing to climate change in some way, the amount of this contribution is unknown, and predictions about future climate states are not possible. I’ll be the first to admit that any steps we might take to address climate change will help clean up the air and water, which is obviously a good thing, but we should think twice before hurriedly spending an estimated $550 trillion dollars worldwide, to convert from fossil fuels to renewables, in the hope of correcting a condition we may have little influence over.
Really? Man’s contribution is “unknown”? A quick look at this chart from NASA tells me otherwise. This is not an unsolved mystery, and anyone perpetrating that myth is a dangerous fool.
http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
There is nothing in the chart you attached that quantifies Man’s contribution to the warming depicted. If a phrase such as “very likely human-induced” is what you consider as science then who is the dangerous fool?
“The good thing about science is that it’s true, whether or not you believe it.” — Neil de Grasse Tyson
Assuming that the science is verifiable, and not simply data that’s been fudged to fit someone’s prejudice.
Thank-you Charlotte for expressing what many of us feel. I agree that we need to move away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible if we are going to have a chance for a better future. Keep us the good work!