Earth Day: Let's all do this!

Stumpy, an ugly but beloved cherry tree in D.C.'s National Mall, struggles to stay alive. Saltwater from the brackish Potomac River laps over the seawall, due to a one-foot rise in sea level over the last century. An inconvenient truth, and Stumpy is not alone.

Rainforest destruction, horrific wildfires, crushing heat, melting glaciers, torrential rains and floods, violent hurricanes, tornadoes and drought all contribute to a new catastrophic “normal.” Climate change is obvious.

Natural and manmade causes are to blame. Natural fluctuations have occurred due to changes in Earth's orbit (18,500 BCE) and in ocean currents (11,000 BCE). A medieval warm period occurred in northern Europe (1,000 CE), and a “Little Ice Age” (1600-1700 CE) happened.

However, the Earth has remained in a remarkably warm, stable period for thousands of years. My point: manmade changes have occurred rapidly (ca. 250 years); whereas natural changes took many thousands of years. Check reputable scientific sites: NASA, NOAA, Berkeley Earth.

The Industrial Revolution changed everything. Airplanes, world wars, nuclear weapons, the internet, and especially CO2 emissions from fossil fuel industries all had an impact. “The preponderance of evidence indicates that human activities ... are mostly responsible for making our planet warmer.” (NASA)

In 10 years, we now have the warmest temperatures on record. We must act NOW, for our children and grandchildren.

We can plant trees, eat less meat, drive less, use less plastic and recycle. But of utmost importance is to vote for candidates who recognize the urgency and back climate action NOW. Strong, proactive leadership is vital to our planet's future. This is NOT a hoax!

The good news? Critical thinkers are working on new technologies. Geothermal, wind and solar energy are on the rise along with electric vehicles. Adaptation and resiliency projects are underway.

Stumpy will die, but the cherry trees will be replanted. The youth are clamoring for action. This is a pivotal moment of complexity, but history tells us that cultural norms change when people unite in a common cause. Let's all do this.

Happy Earth Day.

– Nancy Teggeman

Polson