By Lia Fiffles
Opinion Editor
The world is getting warmer, there is no doubt about that, and it’s obvious that we are starting to pay the price for it.
Natural disasters have been around for as long as we can remember, but lately it feels as if we are surrounded by them. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires; all of these have been making their mark on the world as they become more frequent and destructive. This increased frequency, although terrifying, is not surprising given the current state of our earth through the lenses of global warming. Climate change has driven the number of natural disasters to an all-time high, and this is in addition to the fact that they are taking place simultaneously. The time it is taking for us to recover from these disasters is 10 times longer than it was 30 years ago, and we see that progress swiped away as we are continually hit again and again. This coincides with the unusual high temperatures that areas like the Midwest experienced in December. Temps were reaching an all-time high of 40 to 50 degrees last month and people were starting to notice the concern it caused.
As we continue to face these repercussions of global warming, discourse continues to take place pertaining to what needs to be done to fight it. There is an overall consensus that global warming is, in fact, an issue, but we have yet to see any real change from those who have the power to actually make change. These large corporations have one thought in their minds when it comes to pretty much anything: money. It’s a money game for everyone involved, in fact. Corporations, politicians, scientists, etc., have had the time and money to make better advancements, but all we seem to have gotten are numerous unfulfilled promises.
These recent rises in temperatures and natural disasters are yet again another wake up call for us. It is vital that we recognize the signs of this crisis as they continue to grow more frequent and disastrous. This issue is not one that should be viewed as political, considering we all face the same danger that it presents, but the majority view it through a political lens. As we continue to navigate the issue, it’s understood that we know what we have to do to work against the rising temps, and it is well within our reach to gather and utilize the resources to accomplish this. As each year passes and the problem becomes more and more apparent, revelations are made and the effect they present is hopeful. Groups continue to come together to work toward making a change, and I choose to remain optimistic knowing there are individuals out there who care enough to attempt to construct a form of defense. We cannot just rely on others though, because if we want real change everyone must play a part in convincing those who believe otherwise. It is with great hope that, with time, those who have extensive power realize the issue and take charge in combating this crisis.
