More intense and frequent weather and fire events are being experienced worldwide. The science shows these disasters are related to a warming planet.
In 2023, the U.S. experienced 28 extreme weather events/disasters. Each one of those events caused at least $1 billion in damage. That doesn’t count the social costs of mental, physical and emotional damage to the 2.5 million Americans directly affected by those disasters.
One-third of those affected reported food shortages in the first month after the event. Half reported sensing/knowing that someone with whom they interacted was trying to defraud them. More than one-third of them were displaced for longer than one month.
Delaware is the lowest-lying state in the country. Our coastal towns are being impacted. What is most often forgotten is that even if you have not yet been directly affected by changing weather and fire patterns, they are affecting all of us. A true case of “we are all in this together.” These disasters affect the taxes we pay; where and how we build our roads; where we work; the amount and safety of the food and water to which we have access; and so many other parts of our lives.
Pundits tell us that climate change is far down the list of what voters care about when they vote. Reality suggests, however, that we would be smart to move it higher on our list of what matters. It is a pocketbook and lifestyle issue. Climate change is now. It is ongoing. If you think, “I’ll be dead before it gets me,” perhaps think of your children, grandchildren or others that you love when you vote.
Search for Bad News is Not the Story from the Outrage and Optimism newsletter published Feb. 27, from which the specific figures in this letter to the editor were taken.
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