World is clearly in throes of climate crisis

The facts no longer leave room for reasonable doubt. The world is clearly in the throes of a burgeoning climate crisis.

Last year was the warmest on record, and the ten warmest years on record have occurred during the last decade. (Search “2023 was the world's warmest on record by far.”) There is a 61% chance this year will be even hotter. (“April 2024 was the Earth's warmest on record”) This is not a one-off phenomenon. Global temperatures are increasing at a rapid rate.

Europe, including the European Arctic, is the fastest-warming region on Earth. Some 62,000 people died in Europe in 2022 from the effects of excessive heat. (“Europe warming almost twice as fast as the global average, report says” — Fox Weather)

As Earth’s climate changes, it is impacting extreme weather across the planet. Record-breaking heat waves on land and in the ocean, drenching rains, severe floods, years-long droughts, extreme wildfires, and widespread flooding during hurricanes are all becoming more frequent and more intense.” (Quoted from “Extreme Weather and Climate Change” — NASA.) More people are now suffering from the adverse effects of extreme weather events that are becoming more severe, frequent, and widespread.

Deniers often trot out the canard that most climate scientists predicted global cooling in the 1970's. To put that myth to rest, search “Study debunks 'global cooling' concern of '70s.”

Transitioning to electric vehicles will greatly improve the situation. Unfortunately, high cost and lack of charging stations now put limitations on that option.

JACK DeBAUN

Dover