Climate change is at crisis proportions

The area burned in Canada so far this year is unprecedented, and the country is experiencing the worst wildfire season in recorded history. Smoke from these fires disrupted millions of lives in the U.S. ("‘Literally off the charts’: Canada’s fire season sets records — and is far from over")

Some 40% of the world's oceans suffered from marine heat waves in June: the greatest extent on record. Sea ice is at record low levels around Antarctica. This last June was the warmest globally on record, and the Earth experienced its hottest days on record during this July. ("Why a sudden surge of broken heat records is scaring scientists")

Record-breaking, deadly heat waves are occurring with greater frequency around the globe. ("Extreme heat in North America, Europe and China in July 2023 made much more likely by climate change")

Unprecedented flooding has devastated the Northeast. ("'1-In-1,000-Year Weather Event' As Extreme Rain and Floods Ravage Northeast")

Despite these facts, some still deny that climate change has reached crisis proportions. However, just because climate-related disasters may not have occurred in their own backyards (yet) does not change the fact that they are happening with increasing frequency and intensity elsewhere around the world. Apparently, for them, this does not rise to the level of a crisis since they have not been personally inconvenienced (yet). Ignoring the plight of those adversely impacted by climate change doesn't lessen the severity of the threat. ("Shocking Photos of Extreme Weather Around the World in 2023 So Far")

JACK DeBAUN

Dover