Why is it that the biggest global superpower ever seems to be moving backward when it comes to acting as a leader in the global society? We are in a time where global warming is becoming a more pressing topic than ever before as glaciers continue to melt, so many of our forests are on fire, and grass is starting to grow in Antarctica. We do not have the time to think about whether or not we should buy into this issue, nor do we have the time to selfishly think that global warming isn’t a personal issue because it is. Whether you are rich or poor, man or woman, old or young, none of us are immune to the ruthlessness of Mother Nature.
According to NASA, if we do not address our current climate predicament, “The potential future effects of global climate change include more frequent wildfires, longer periods of drought in some regions, an increase in the wind intensity and rainfall from tropical cyclones.” We have already begun to see the effects of our warming climate in places like California. It’s not unreasonable to think that because fires happen every year in California, there’s no harm in one more. But to that point, I would say that fires happen every year in California, but to that, I would ask you if twenty-nine people died in those fires, if there were more than 18,000 structures burned, or almost 200,000 acres burned because of the lack of water and dry brush every year? The answer to that question would be no. We do not just regularly have devastating fires that leave millions homeless, children out of school, and families hungry. In a time when our planet is showing us how critical it is for change, the government seems to be lacking in urgency for these pressing issues.
While many other countries move forward with their global cooling initiatives, the US is regressing. Even developing countries, some of which are the most vulnerable countries, have committed to addressing the climate crisis and continue to move forward with many of the global superpowers to ensure that our globe does not become inhabitable. The European Union and the United Nations have both recommitted to their climate initiatives for the new year. The European Union even recognized the vulnerability of Africa as a whole and outlined a plan to ensure that the continent is more involved in efforts to create more renewable energy. Africa holds sixty percent of the world’s best solar resources, yet it only has two percent of investments in solar power. The math isn’t adding up.
Recent orders from the new administration in the White House suggest that global warming is not a global issue, especially not an American issue therefore, it does not deserve the appropriate funding from the government. President Trump signed the executive order “Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements,” which relieves federal mandates to address climate issues. It does not immediately resign the US from agreements like the Paris Agreement because it takes one year for the withdrawal to take effect. (Although the Paris Agreement doesn’t actually enforce any regulations, it’s more of a do as much or as little as you’d like agreement.) This means that established regulations surrounding climate change will no longer have financial support, nor will policies back them. I don’t believe that the US is responsible for the CO2 emissions of the entire world, nor do I believe that it’s the job of the US to fix the global warming crisis (that does exist). Still, I find it cowardice of our government to disregard the facts and sufficient research of so many at the whim of a President who would suggest that you drink bleach to get rid of a chronic virus at the height of a global pandemic. Unfortunately, the actions of the President do reflect on our nation as a whole. Not only that, but they also influence the behaviors of our society. This is why I find it irresponsible of our leaders to look the other way regarding science and hard facts.
How long will it take for us to realize that global warming is a NOW issue, how many more forests, homes, bodies of water, and jobs do we have to lose for us to wake up as a nation and join the rest of the world’s majority in fighting climate change, and protecting our Earth?