It could be described as a secret shame, but one thing’s for certain, many scientists and environmentalists agree that climate change is real. Unless properly addressed, it’s going to get worse. Mother Nature’s fury was unleashed on the United States in the forms of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, over the past two weeks. Millions were affected, several people died and scores were left homeless. In the Caribbean, islands like Barbuda, Saint Martin, and Tortola were decimated, leaving little to no hope for residents wishing to return home. Freak storms and killer floods have also destroyed parts of the Eastern world, including communities in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.
According to The Guardian, more than 8 million people have been affected by floods that covered a third of the country in Bangladesh.
The industrial giant
Known as an industrial giant, the US has been a number one contributor to pollution for several years. Yet, not all of its leaders see that as a problem. During his term in office, former President Barack Obama agreed with many world leaders, that climate change would negatively and quickly, impact the world. He worked to increase the use of clean energy and was one of the signatories to the Paris climate accord in 2015. Recognizing the danger of fossil fuel use, that deal saw nearly 200 countries agreeing to stop it. Unfortunately, the Trump administration did not see things their way.
The State Department announced in August 2017 that America would be leaving the Paris Treaty.
What climate change?
President Donald Trump has been very clear on his stance towards climate change. He tweeted “the concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese, in order to make US manufacturing non-competitive,” while campaigning in 2016.
The Environmental Protection Administration has also made a mockery of its name by denying that carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to global warming. Its head, Scott Pruitt, also removed academic scientists from the EPA Science Advisory Board and got rid of web pages on the EPA website that provided access to climate change information.
In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Mr. Pruitt was asked by ABC news whether climate change was a factor in the strength of such natural disasters. He replied that the focus should be on easing gasoline standards and monitoring potable water. Mr. Pruitt said “will there be a time and place to perhaps discuss that and debate that? Sure, but not in the midst of the storm, not in the midst of the responses, because there's enough to say grace over right now.”
The White House responds
Following harsh criticism of their lackadaisical response to the burning issue, Homeland Security took another approach on Monday. At the White House press briefing, Adviser Tom Bossert admitted that the issue is being looked into, but declined to give any more insight into Government’s plans.
Bossert said “causality is outside of my ability to analyze right now. I will tell you that we continue to take seriously, climate change, not the cause of it but the things that we observe." Whether or not the US realizes that more destruction is imminent, global warming will not wait for recognition. It may be viewed as an inconvenient truth, but it’s one that’s poised to change the world forever.
