Frequent flooding, out of control wildfires, tropical storms and hurricanes with greater intensity and frequency as well as tornadoes and soaring summertime temperatures. What do these all have in common? They are all part of a weather phenomenon that can be directly tied to global warming. To understand this, .we must first understand the linguistics of this science. Weather is the smallest part of the equation as it is what happens on a day-to-day basis in a particular geographic area. "Global warming is the long -term heating of Earth's surface observed since the pre-industrialized period 1850 - 1900 due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning . . ." (NASA Newsletter). Climate change is the all-encompassing phrase that covers the long -term changes in average weather patterns.
Earlier I used the word science, regrettably this word has been continually viewed with a negative connotation in the present administration. It is ironic that a president that resigned in disgrace was also responsible for much of the environmental safeguards that our present president is trying to tear down. Through an executive order Nixon established the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on 12/2/1970. Later in that year he signed into law the Clean Air Act 12/31/1970. Two years later, he tried to veto the Clean Water Act, citing financial concerns, however it was overridden by Congress and written into law on 10/17/1972.
Lee Zeldin, the current head administrator of the EPA is doing everything in his power to reverse the good work the EPA has been doing, and in particular the effects on the Clean Air Act. (See attached) One of the first things President Trump did upon taking his second term of office was to withdraw from the Paris Climate agreement. Meanwhile, 113 countries had previously signed on to the agreement realizing the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Actions taken by Lee Zeldin since heading the EPA
While this present administration is trying to dismantle all the good work the EPA has done in the past and denying global warming is even a reality, allow me to point out a few indisputable facts which clearly show the ever-increasing effects of global warming.
Glacier National Park in Montana in the late 19th century had approximately 150 glaciers, today there are only 26.
In 2020, Phoenix, Arizona recorded a record setting 145 days of triple digit temperatures. with 2025 becoming the second hottest year on record with 122 days of triple digits.
On 9/27/2024, North Carolina was hit by Hurricane Helene with at least 108 deaths reported. The community of Asheville was particularly hard hit, an area not used to seeing these kinds of storms.
Even though we're just getting through September, NW FireWatch Wildlands Fire News reports 2026 has become the most destructive wildfire season in over a decade as measured in the loss of structures, livestock, livelihoods and dollars. In 2025 there were over 77,850 wildfires with over 50 million acres of land burned. As this warming trend continues so shall the frequency and intensity of the aforementioned events.
Severe flooding across the nation in recent years has cost billions of dollars. If you add in all the other weather-related disasters, the cost to local, state, and federal coffers is astronomical, as well as the cost in human lives. Just imagine if we were able to take that same amount of money and invest in green environmental programs, we could perhaps turn the tide of the ever-increasing global warming.
So, despite an administration motivated be securing greater wealth for the few and little to no concern for the effects of these disasters on the average American citizen, there are efforts being made to combat this administration's blind disregard for actual science. Organizations such as the National Resource Defense Council is fighting tirelessly in the courts to overturn actions taken by this President. Just recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld tougher limits on the amount of soot allowed to be released into the air. in a case brought forward by the NRDC and other clean-air allies.
Many of you probably wonder: "But. what can I do?" The answer is simple — get involved. Support the various environmental organization which are doing an incredible amount of work fighting for clean water, clean air, and a host of other environmental concerns particularly through the courts but also working with local communities. Just a few are: National Resource Defense Council, Earth Defense Fund, The Sierra Society, and Greenpeace to name a few.
The next step in to use your birth right as a citizen of this great nation and get out in vote. It has become a bit of a cliche, but every vote matters and you need to do your part to stay informed and elect government officials who will take the concern of global warming seriously and support programs to help combat it.
Finally, learn what you can do on an individual basis: whether it be to change the kind of lightbulbs you are using in your house, perhaps consider carpooling to get to and from college, even being aware of the kind of packaging you are buying at the store. Simply type in "environmental tip for home" and you can get wonderful and easy ways to make a difference in your own footprint
Maybe we can't change the world today or tomorrow, but we need to think about the how we are going to leave the world for our children and grandchildren and civilization as time goes on. Let's all try and make a difference.
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