Page 34 - Provoke Magazine Vol2

Climate Change
As temperatures rise and the weather grows less and less predictable, some are already facing the di- rect consequences of climate change. Meanwhile, the United States’ administration seems reluctant to ad- mit it even exists.
This year, California is experiencing the worst wild- fire season on record, with the Mendocino fire being the largest the state has ever seen. Most of the coun- try has experienced an increase in extreme weather, including more flash flooding along the coasts where sea levels are rising, to droughts and brutal tempera- tures in the Southwest.
President Donald Trump claims climate change is a hoax and a “con job”, even going so far as to cite the Chinese government’s involvement in its propagation. His administration has made moves to roll back cli- mate change rules and regulations which worked to protect our environment. Of course, many states and local governments can’t ignore climate change’s re- al-time damage to their communities.
Many cities along the United States’ coast face ris- ing sea levels which could potentially wreak havoc. In Miami Beach, the mayor has ordered new infrastruc- ture systems to protect the city from increases in flash flooding. Even just rising tides are breaking onto the streets and causing damage. Many other cities such as New Orleans face a similar situation and are looking towards coastal cities such as Amsterdam to try and protect themselves. Other coastal cities such as New York City are preparing for the worst after facing ab- normal Northeastern hurricane conditions like Hur- ricane Sandy in 2012. Extreme weather events are be- coming less and less like abnormal occurrences. Many scientists fear this trend will continue unless we do things to curve our impact on the environment.
If we continue to put out as much CO2 emissions as we currently are, by about 2050, concentrations in our atmosphere are expected to double. This would mean a global warming of about 4.5 degrees Celsius by 2100 and major problems for America and the rest of the planet.
Many Americans hope that a new administration or changes would bring swift changes in policies and regulations that could help save our country and the planet from climate change devastation. On a more local level, education and community activism are making progressive steps towards change in hopes that their efforts will spread to others.
Wilder Carnes
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