Even if you have been paying attention to climate change, it can sometimes feel distant in both space and time. However, on Sunday night, as I was writing my first edition of this newsletter, climate change came roaring into my kitchen. I was with my family at our 100-year-old cabin in the Hudson Valley when it started to pour for fourteen hours, causing our ceiling to leak. Then, around midnight, a wall of water flooded the house.
Unfortunately, many of my neighbors fared even worse. There was widespread flooding in New York State and New England, resulting in one woman’s death and the rescue of dozens of others. These extreme weather events are becoming more severe due to man-made climate change. Warmer temperatures enable the air to hold more moisture, leading to intense rainfall and flooding.
The New York governor has stated that such climate-fueled disasters are becoming the “new normal.” However, the United States is not adequately prepared for catastrophic flooding, especially in areas far from rivers and coastlines.
In the Southwest, a heat dome is causing extreme heat, Canadian wildfires are engulfing major cities in smoke, and off the coast of Florida, ocean temperatures are reaching record highs.
These events are not limited to the United States; they are happening globally. Delhi experienced its wettest July day in 40 years, residents in Beijing sought refuge in underground air raid shelters to escape the heat, and floods swept away cars in Spain. Scientists predict that the planet is entering a period of exceptional warmth due to greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels and a powerful El Niño system in the Pacific Ocean.
I recently spoke with climate scientists who warned of unprecedented events in the coming months. This year, Earth will experience things that have never been seen in modern history. The abnormal is becoming the new normal, and this normalization of extreme weather poses a profound danger as it can lead to apathy. We must not become indifferent to the signs of a planet in crisis.
Fortunately, there is cause for optimism. After years of inaction, there is now a monumental effort to confront climate change. Wind turbines and solar panels are rapidly replacing fossil fuels, sales of electric vehicles and energy-efficient appliances are soaring, and there is a collective push across government, business, and civil society to reduce emissions and protect nature.
Decarbonizing the world economy is the largest collective action in human history, requiring the transformation of energy and transportation systems. While progress is not happening fast enough, there is an opportunity to create a world with better air quality, more green space, healthier ecosystems, and less waste.
In this newsletter, we will explore the tension between hope and despair, urgency and inertia, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We want to hear from you and your perspectives on climate change. Together, we can navigate this critical moment and work towards a sustainable future.
In other news, President Joe Biden aims to repair relations with China, and climate change is a key issue on the agenda. The United States and China are the world’s industrial superpowers and must move in the same direction to combat climate change effectively. China currently relies heavily on fossil fuels, particularly coal, but has also made significant investments in renewable energy. U.S. officials are urging China to accelerate its energy transition and phase out coal.
Lastly, in terms of weather, the Northeast can expect more rain, leading to renewed flash flooding concerns. The Southwest is experiencing a delayed monsoon, while the “heat dome” continues to cause extreme heat.
Stay informed, stay engaged, and let’s work towards a sustainable future.
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