Steve Murov: Information on climate change is out there and very convincing
During the campaign, Donald Trump chastised Preaident Obama for dividing our country. Since the election, that division has become a chasm. The best method to bridge the gap, and find bipartisan solutions to the problems confronting the U.S., is through education.
As an example, Americans have strong opinions on climate change but insufficient understanding of the basic science to be able to critically analyze the pros and cons of withdrawal from the Paris Accord. Trump’s withdrawal speech essentially ignored the environmental impacts while rationalizing the withdrawal with short-sighted and dubious economic arguments. Educate yourself!
Rent and watch Leonardo DiCaprio’s “Before the Flood;” read science-based articles on the Internet; invite the non-partisan Modesto Chapter of the Citizen’s Climate Lobby to give a presentation to your group; contact scientists at MJC, CSU Stanislaus, UCMerced or public health, agricultural and military agencies.
A huge amount of convincing evidence exits that human-caused climate change is real and already impactful. As one of a multitude of examples, explorers searched for a Northwest Passage for hundreds of years. Because of substantial loss of arctic ice, it is now possible to take a cruise ship in August through the Northwest Passage. Learn about the science of climate change and let your representative and president know your findings.
Steve Murov, Modesto
This story was originally published June 12, 2017 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Steve Murov: Information on climate change is out there and very convincing."