Climate change is real; it mostly results from human activity; and it is an important issue in the 2016 election.
Global records since about 1850 unequivocally demonstrate rising temperatures, with 2016 likely to surpass 2015 as the warmest.
Human emissions of heat-trapping gases have increased continually for more than 200 years. The accumulating impact is well-understood physics, equivalent to wrapping Earth in a thickening blanket. Natural processes across the globe do redistribute the energy from time to time and place to place.
For example, this causes variations such as the much ballyhooed “hiatus” in rising temperatures – now decisively ended – and extraordinarily cold recent winters in the eastern U.S. Nevertheless, global temperatures continue to rise in accord with the underlying physics.
The most important consequences of climate change differ from region to region. In our San Juan Mountains, warmer temperatures mean less snow at lower elevations and earlier runoff, threatening regional water supplies. Even so, because warmer air holds more moisture, extreme precipitation events – rain or snow – are more likely. An example is the extraordinary 2013 flooding on the Front Range.
In dry years, however, early drying in the forest heightens the risks of wildfire, such as the 2002 Missionary Ridge fire.
In spite of this evidence, it has become dogma for Republican candidates to deny the reality asserted by 97 percent of climate scientists or to feign ignorance in the face of their expert testimony. Donald Trump calls human-caused climate change a Chinese hoax. Darryl Glenn denies a human connection. Scott Tipton supports obstruction of climate action in Congress. J. Paul Brown also doubts the human connection.
To ignore the growing risk of climate disruptions and associated economic dislocations is dereliction of their duty to protect the public interest.
In November, we have the opportunity to elect Democratic candidates who will work to protect today’s communities and to minimize the climate damage that we inflict on our children and grandchildren.
Reject Republican dogma and vote for Democrats all the way down the ballot: Hillary Clinton, Michael Bennet, Gail Schwartz, Alice Madden, Barbara McLachlan, Gwen Lachelt and Julie Westendorff.
Richard E. White
Durango
