If you haven't been keeping up on this week's environmental news, I've got some good news and some bad news.
The good news is that you're an excellent bad-news bypasser. Yay, you! The bad news is that your artful dodger streak has reached its end, which is kind of good news too. Staying informed is important. Yay, you?
According to a recent investigative report conducted by the Washington Post, extreme climate change has reached the United States. The determination of "extreme" is based on the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's warning of dire consequences if the Earth heats up by an average of 2 degrees Celsius (just shy of 4 degrees Fahrenheit).
It seems that number may be in the rearview window of our carbon-spewing SUV's.
Before you write it off as sensationalism, you should know that the report is based on the review of more than a century of NOAA temperature data.
Not surprisingly, the two coasts are in the lead. It turns out that 71 counties have already hit that mark, with Rhode Island leading the way as the first state to cross the threshold. (Who saw that coming?)
It's not all bad news. (Sort of) Those of us in "flyover states" get to smugly judge the coasts as we blast our a/c and refuse to develop and/or use public transportation. #NotOurFault
On a more serious note, none of this comes as a complete surprise. Given the current political attitude towards environmental issues and the concentration of our country's population on both coasts - it's logical that these places would heat up faster.
Personally, I'm tired of all the doom and gloom when it comes to climate change. We can't change the past, but we can learn from it work towards a better tomorrow. Yes, even you.
You can volunteer or donate. Personally, I'm a fan of the World Wildlife Fund. If that sounds like a bit too much, you can turn down the a/c a degree or two. (baby steps)
My point is, that yes, it does suck. But doing absolutely nothing sucks more.
Okay, that's all I have for you. Be brave, be kind, and get out there and make some changes.
...speaking of change, we've got a small one coming this Saturday...stay tuned.
More on the Story: Washington Post
....just for fun:
