Climate Change

 

Nearly 200 countries conclude that climate change is real and growing worse and accordingly have entered an agreement to do something about it. They recognize the dangers and the damage and believe the empirical evidence that human activities, specifically the burning of carbon-based fuels, are a major cause of a changing climate. Only one country has rejected the global pact: the United States. We at WiRED are greatly concerned that our leaders have rejected the science and have fashioned sweeping policies, oblivious of the compelling evidence that lays bare the causes, the immediate impact and the ultimate trajectory of climate forces. We are baffled by their wrong-headed thinking. It takes no scientific expertise to witness the rising seas, the growing violence of storms, the extremes of temperature and precipitation, all predicted by reputable climate models.

 

Now the ledger sheets report the alarming economic costs of weather events and health impacts that far exceed the costs of a carbon tax and other actions that effectively would blunt the intensity of climate change. Although our leaders may be blind to science, we can hope they might yield to the persuasion of economics.

 

WiRED’s concern is for the health of humans and animals, both of which are closely bound to the environment; thus we support One Health principles that recognize the convergence of humans, animals and the environment. During the next several years, we will devote our energy to educating health professionals and general populations about the complex intersection of those variables described as One Health. Meanwhile, we hold out hope that our leaders open their minds to the science, and, if not, that at least they acknowledge the argument that it costs us more in national treasure to do nothing than to set in motion actions that slow the accelerating pace of climate change.

 

Read WiRED's story on climate change and health.