On July 26, 2023

Recent weather events underscore global warming

 

Dear Editor,

As we once again start prioritizing repairs to major infrastructure damaged by severe flooding, pumping water out of our basements and begin searching our state, town and personal budgets for the needed funds, there is a question we need to ask ourselves. Are we ready to finally treat the climate crisis as the existential emergency it really is?

At the same time Vermont was receiving two months of rain in two days, other countries all over the planet were also experiencing unprecedented rains and flooding. 

Also simultaneously, southern parts of this country were experiencing an unrelenting, life-threatening heatwave. On the day I write this, the predicted high for Phoenix, Arizona is 110 degrees. Nightfall will bring no relief with a predicted low of 92. Over the next 10 days, Phoenix temperatures are all predicted to be over 100. Most above 110. The 92-degree low for today will be exceeded for the next 9 days. Saturday will see a low of 97.

The cause? A heat-trapping blanket of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere is continuing to grow. Last year we again dumped a record amount of carbon into our atmosphere. We are polluting our atmosphere and paying the price, literally and figuratively. Yet the federal government continues to issue permits for fossil fuel projects, and the Vermont Public Employees Pension Fund continues to invest those pension dollars in the fossil fuel industry, funding those projects with your money.

It is way past time we all actively get engaged to help reverse the trajectory of this threat to our civilization. But how? The answer is to join and get actively involved in one or more of the many organizations fighting for real change and to vote for representatives at every level of government who will work for our future and transition away from fossil fuel.

Third Act Vermont is a working group of Third Act.org, a national group founded by Vermont/Ripton resident Bill McKibben. Third Act is a group for the over 60 crowd, working toward climate solutions, including defunding the fossil fuel industry and electing representatives who will advocate for real changes. 

Third Act Vermont can be found through our website at thirdactvt.org. Other options are 350.org; Sierra Club at actsierraclub.org and sunrisemovement.org.

We are at a point of inflection, running out of time. Sitting back is not an option.

John Woodland, Brattleboro and Robert Small, Stannard,Third Act Vermont Volunteer Coordinator and Third Act VT Coordinating Committee

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Before school budget talks turn to slashing expenses

November 20, 2024
By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the owner and publisher of the Addison Independent, a sister paper of the Mountain Times.  With 2024-25 education property tax rate hikes well into double digits last year, it’s little doubt school boards will be primed for holding costs to a minimum for their upcoming budgets. Already…

Keep pets safe this trapping season

November 20, 2024
Dear Editor, The recreational trapping season in Vermont begins on the fourth Saturday of October each year and lasts through March 31st. For some animals, like otters and beavers, this season lasts for five long months. There are no limits on the number of animals a trapper may kill or on the number of traps…

‘You belong here’

November 20, 2024
Dear Editor, A Latin teacher from junior high school once told me that the word “trivia” comes from roots, meaning three roads. The idea was that people would come together where roads meet to exchange small pieces of information — trivia. Here in Vermont, we certainly swap news on street corners, and I’ve had my…

Welcoming new Americans will strengthen Vt’s economy

November 20, 2024
By Mike Pieciak, Vermont State Treasurer As Vermont’s Treasurer, I am committed to growing Vermont’s economy and building a more inclusive future for our state. To keep our economy on a positive track, we must address our demographic challenges and grow our workforce. I regularly hear from employers about the difficulty of finding workers —…