I wonder if the Washington Post, which had an Editorial Board whine about “climate change” on the 20th, and Katrina vanden Heuval, with today’s whine, have given up their own fossil fueled livestyles yet?
One year after Sandy — ignoring climate change at our own peril
It’s been one year since Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the eastern coast of the United States, affecting 24 states and devastating parts of New Jersey and New York. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed. Millions were left without power. As many as 100 people died; most of whom drowned as the storm surged in Staten Island and Queens. At $65 billion, Sandy was the second costliest storm in U.S. history.
Today, communities that were reduced to rubble are steadily recovering. And yet, one year later, policymakers have yet to address climate change, which undoubtedly contributed to the strength, magnitude and danger of Sandy. There is little discussion of rebuilding in a way that better prepares us for the ravages of future storms. And after Washington’s most recent shameful display of deadlock and dysfunction, it would be wishful thinking to presume that Congress will act on this issue anytime soon.
Interesting. Because the only tropical system to make landfall this year was Andrea, which wasn’t even at hurricane strength. Both the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific seasons have been very weak. We’re approaching 8 years since the last major hurricane made US landfall. There has only been one landfalling hurricane since 2008, and it could be argued that Issac wasn’t a hurricane, just a very strong tropical storm.
And yet, whether a disaster of our maker or of our making, after the dust settles, after the floodwaters recede, after we comfort the survivors and bury the dead, very little changes. Our leaders pour billions of dollars into rebuilding the same homes and businesses on increasingly vulnerable coastlines but refuse to invest in fortifying them against the volatile elements. Many refuse to acknowledge that global warming contributes to extreme weather events. They refuse to admit that the cumulative effects of these catastrophes cannot be sustained.
Got that? It doesn’t matter if it is natural or man-induced, we need to Do Something. Even though there’s been no statistically significant warming in over 16 years. Talk about deluded, dogmatic, and cultish.
If there’s any good news, it’s that while our politicians may ignore reality, more and more Americans understand that our responsibility to the earth is an existential one. From the growth of the sustainable food movement to groups like 350.org to a rising generation of youth across party lines concerned about climate change, people are embracing the lessons of Wendell Berry. Now, the challenge is to take that energy and generate enough political pressure to spur action.
LOL. The Warmists have been pushing this spreading awareness meme for 25 years, yet still won’t change their own lives. They’re more than happy to push projects, law, and regulations that force Other People to live under the Warmist beliefs, though.
President Obama’s Passive Voice
