We are all paying the cost carbon pollution with our health, our taxes, our climate, the loss of wildlife and our insurance. I am posting this excellent video in honor the Cost of Carbon week that has just concluded.
The National Research Council is pleased to present this video that explains how scientists have arrived at the state of knowledge about current climate change and its causes.
Pollution is a human caused factor creating the reality of climate change and harming the health of all people, our oceans, and all living things. See articles below:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57607795/study-climate-change-will-significantly-impact-ocean-health-by-2100/?wwftw1 New research shows that human impact on the climate will heavily influence marine habitats by 2100, supporting a study earlier this month that showed coral reefs could be extinct by 2050.
http://www.mn2020hindsight.org/view/we-all-pay-pollutions-costs?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pollution Pollution is expensive and we are all paying the costs to our lives, environment and through higher taxes. And….
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/17/us-cancer-pollution-idUSBRE99G0BB20131017 The World Health Organization has come out saying that pollution causes cancer.
http://www.startribune.com/local/228250501.html Minnesota is trying to adjust for the future to the changes in the climate for the north woods. What new trees might thrive or will the north country become prairie?
Climate Change is expensive for us all, and big changes lie ahead!
A few weeks ago while riding the bus in Chicago I struck up a conversation with my seatmate. She worked for AIG Insurance of New York City, and related how concerned the insurance industry is with the expense of climate change. AIG Insurance had just paid out 2 billion dollars for Super Storm Sandy, and they were nervous how they were going to manage these mega storms in the future. Some insurance companies in Florida are pulling out of the state because it is becoming too expensive to insure some homes. Read the link below and you will see why!
This week the Huffington Post named the 14 American cities that could be underwater in this century because of rising sea levels due to our warming climate, warming of the oceans, and the melting of Arctic ice. What fourteen U.S. cities are the most vulnerable?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/26/global-warming-flooding_n_3799019.html
Can we do something? Yes we can!! We can put a tax on carbon emissions, we can each drive less, use less electricity, and support renewable energy initiatives. Contact your members of Congress and ask them to put a tax on those that our polluting our air with carbon emissions. The sooner we act the better!
Find contacts for the U.S. Congress:
It is August and August is the best month of the summer. The air is dry, nights are cool, and daylight still dominates. Sunsets are magnificent.
It is disheartening to hear the discussion of all the nitrates that are being deposited in our Minnesota lakes including Lake Superior. Nitrates poison the lake, and cause thick algae to grow choking out good plants and light for the fish and other aquatic animals. Nitrates in the lakes are caused by fertilizers on our lawns and fertilizers in the production of crops. What we put on our lawns and fields ends up in our lakes and streams. Is this why some call August the “Dog Days of summer” because we have spent the summer poisoning our lakes?
Those of us who live in the land of lakes forget how lucky we are to have our beautiful lakes, and we all need to work for good lake quality whether it is being careful not to spread invasives or being aware of the chemicals we use. With climate change Texas and the Southwest USA are dealing with severe water shortage(see articles below). Let’s take care of our wonderful water resource!
The below ideas for protecting our lakes is from the Superiorforum.org , Sigurd Olson Institute, Northland college, and the EPA, and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative:
I would add several more:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/aug/11/texas-tragedy-ample-oil-no-water
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/219989751.html
Climate Change is Real, and it is Frightening
What changes have you seen the past few years because of our changing climate? Some of the following have frightened me:
– In one year my pollinator plant yard has gone from many beautiful monarchs watching daily hoping they will appear.. Just last year my neighbors said to me, “We enjoy watching all the monarchs in your yard!” This year, not one monarch. The bees have just appeared–In August?
– My rain barrel can’t handle the downpours of rain anymore, and he heavy rains run off instead of soaking the plants that need the moisture.
– In between the rain storms is drought.
– I experienced the big June Duluth storm last year: The thunderstorms just kept rolling through for 36 hours washing out roads, bridges and homes.
– The costs for insurance and rebuilding are more than we can comprehend.
– We are insecure about the next big storm or drought!
– Ticks: Many have struggled with Lyme’s Disease.
– Asthma and health problems are worse in the vulnerable.
-The beautiful Paper Birch trees of Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin are dying.
Climate Change is here, it is real, and 97% of climate scientists say it is caused by human activity. If we act quickly we can slow the terrible effects for the future.
Instead of just talking about it we all need to act. Just by doing one or two of the following will make a big difference:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/usepagov/sets/72157635037133053/
My letter published in the Minneapolis, Star Tribune August 7.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Where are our monarch butterflies? The droughts, alternating with heavy rains and pesticide use, have destroyed a lot of their habitat.
In response to the Aug. 6 commentary, “We’re free-market Republicans, but action on climate is urgent,” yes, climate change is real. We can all see it. To expect this Congress to act is hopeless, but luckily with the leadership of former State Sen. Ellen Anderson and Gov. Mark Dayton, Minnesota is on its way to national leadership in renewable energy.
Most important, we can all make a difference by reducing our carbon output by driving less, turning off lights and electronics when not in use, and reducing the chemicals we use. Our monarchs and children are depending on us.
Below is the op-ed to which I was responding:
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/218437091.html
I am on my way to Climate Reality Leadership Training in Chicago, and 
hope to learn to communicate what we need to do if clean air and clean water are important to us!
Below is from Steve Hogseth of Utah:
When our industrial age began, few could have projected today’s predicament. For decades, the wake-up call has been ringing. We need to utilize fossil fuels in the foreseeable future, as we must maintain our economy. We need to taper off on fossil fuels and embrace gentler energies. Through man’s innovation, greener energies will gain efficiency, mitigating fossil consumption. We need to stop blindly “believing the words” of self-interest lobbyists, greed mongers, oil/coal advocates, and political pundits. We must personally become scientifically attuned.
A question for naysayers: “Even if you do not believe in global warming, why would you not want to address the source of dirty air and water?” Steve Hogseth, Utah
http://www.leadertelegram.com/opinions/letters_to_editor/article_5e9ce4cb-878c-512d-927a-34095ef07bb6.html Steve Hogseth on climate change
Health4earth 