We can’t delay response to climate change

There is one key issue that transcends the unrelenting nonsense and tweets that our president treats us to on a daily if not hourly basis. The impending crisis of apocalyptic climate change is neither left-wing nor right-wing, Republican or Democrat.

It simply is, and it is along with the prevention of nuclear war the greatest challenge facing humanity today. Consider the recent findings published in the well respected journal “Nature” that half of all living species will be extinct by mid-century in 30 short years. A recent article titled “The Anthropocene equation” confirms that anthropogenic climate destruction is causing our earth’s climate to change 170 times faster than would happen if only natural forces were at work. One author commented “The human magnitude of climate change looks more like a meteorite strike than a gradual change.”

What’s almost as horrifying as these impending and looming realities is our government’s incomprehensible indifference to the problem and the seeming commitment and desire to accelerate a problem that the human imagination cannot even begin to come to grips with.

If you have children and grandchildren or a vested appreciation of life and nature and the glories of what this our only world can offer then you will need to become active and vocal and involved in a sustained effort to offset, mitigate and yes prevent environmental tragedy that will indeed spell of the end of civilization as we know it within just decades.

Greed, hubris, arrogance and a damning disregard for the future got us here. Sustained and pro-active democratic action involving all citizens is our lone and greatest hope. We need to start now.

Jim Sawyer

Edmonds

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, July 12

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Authorities search for victims among the rubble near Blue Oak RV park after catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on Sunday, July 6, 2025. The half-mile stretch occupied by two campgrounds appears to have been one of the deadliest spots along the Guadalupe River in Central Texas during last week’s flash floods. (Jordan Vonderhaar/The New York Times)
Editorial: Tragic Texas floods can prompt reforms for FEMA

The federal agency has an important support role to play, but Congress must reassess and improve it.

Comment: Reforms to involuntary committment law can save lives

Washington state should consider changes New York made to protect those who can’t protect themselves.

Comment: Medicaid reforms will keep it for those most in need

Beyond the ‘sky is falling’ claims, the BBB’s reforms to Medicaid are fair and necessary to save it.

Forum: ‘The vibrations hit you deep. You can feel it in your body.’

How the far-off cadence of a marching band’s drums caught a 10-year-old’s ear with the rhythm of the beat.

Harrop: Trump Country should brace for less federal disaster aid

Red states have been among the largest recipients of FEMA aid. Trump says he’ll end that help.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, July 11

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

2024 Presidential Election Day Symbolic Elements.
Editorial: Retain Escamilla, Binda on Lynnwood City Council

Escamilla was appointed a year ago. Binda is serving his first term.

The Buzz: What the mainstream media don’t want you to know

They’re not, but we just liked how that looked at the top of the page and thought you’d read it.

Schwab: Yes, your Medicaid’s gone but you can gloat over gators

What Trump is taking from the social safety net, he’s adding to the cruelty against working immigrants.

Congress’ passage of tax cuts bill marked shameful day for GOP

This July 3 was one of the most shameful days in American… Continue reading

Tell senators to keep vaccine aid by rejecting recissions bill

The Senate could vote on a Trump administration-proposed rescissions package before July… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.