By JB Lester
There is no doubt, the planet is heating up. And when temperatures rise, so do weather disasters. The recent flash floods in Texas are just the latest shock waves of climate change. The greenhouse effect is causing glaciers to melt, oceans to rise, rivers to flood and forests to burn. The air we breathe becomes unhealthier due to carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, lead and particular matter like dust, smoke and soot. People with respiratory problems like asthma find the summer months in our area very hard to live with. Heck, it’s hard to breathe this thick unhealthy air for everyone.
There are more severe storms now including tornadoes and microbursts in our area than ever before. The storms are stronger, fueled by warmer temperatures and additional moisture. Forest and brush fires are everywhere across the country caused by lightning, careless humans and failing infrastructure. Drought often precedes flash floods. Farmers are suffering from unpredictable weather conditions.
I often wonder what it will take for climate change deniers to see the light. Weather crises should not be a political issue. Mother Nature does not care who lives in a red state or a blue state. Everyone leaves their own personal carbon footprint as we walk through life. The question is, how big are your shoes? What are you doing to help our planet? More research and innovation are needed to help warn people of impending weather disasters. How do we alert people faster about flash floods, sudden tornadoes and fast-moving fires. Hurricanes are deadly but we do have good measures in place for tracking their paths and strengths. And yet when climate disasters hit in the middle of the night while people are sleeping, many warning systems are sometimes not enough.
We also need to go to the source and cause. Create a plan to temper the storms. Cut back on global warming. Maybe it’s carbon capture. Maybe it means fewer gasoline powered vehicles on the road. We need more innovation like never before. Reimagining the way we power our planet. Moving away from fossil fuels that when burned help create a greenhouse effect and a warmer world.
It’s hot and humid in St. Louis in the summer. Unbearable at times. Bad for people, pets and plants. There is no one to blame other than ourselves when it comes to global warming and climate change. We are in control of our own destiny. Let’s find a way to live a more compatible life with our climate. We may not ever be able to totally control Mother Nature, but perhaps we can learn how to ease her anger and intensity and keep her from ravaging our communities. One new idea, one incredible innovation could save thousands of lives. It’s time to get serious about the weather. It’s more than just a segment on the local news. It’s a matter of life and death.