Aug 24 2012
The Question of Climate Change in this Year’s Election
Do a search on the word ‘heatwave’ in Google News, and the following headlines show up: Italy heatwave brings down historic wall section in Rome, Balkans Heat Wave Fuels Forest Fires in Bosnia, Heat wave continues in Europe, Heat wave in Bulgaria over weekend, Wildfires, Heat Threaten Southwest France, and more. California headlines include Hemet park residents endure heat wave without power, and Marin Heat wave continues with ‘110 in the Shade.’ The global heat wave has led many around the world to worry about the rapidly manifesting effects of global warming.
Also linked to climate change is the largest outbreak of West Nile virus ever seen in the US. According to the Center for Disease Control, West Nile virus, which spreads through mosquito bites, has been reported in 38 states, and a total of 1,118 cases have been reported, including 41 deaths. The recent mild winter allowed more mosquitoes than normal to survive, and the current heat wave has enabled mosquitoes to more effectively pick up the virus before spreading it via bites.
Meanwhile scientists have been shocked at the rapid increase in Arctic ice melting seen this year. The record-breaking rate of melting has been linked to the severity of storms and hurricanes at summer’s end.
With such ominous signs pointing to a rapidly warming planet, it is a wonder that neither major party Presidential candidate in this year’s election has made any mention of climate change. Quite the reverse – presumptive GOP Presidential nominee, Mitt Romney this week unveiled his energy plan which includes “aggressively” drilling for oil on off-shore territories and increasing coal production and nuclear power. Romney also intends to approve the permit for the controversial Keystone XL pipeline across the US. If implemented, his plan would greatly increase the amounts of greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.
GUEST: Bill McKibben, one of the nation’s leading climate activists, founder of the rassroots climate campaign 350.org, author of a dozen books about the environment
Visit www.350.org for more information.
One Response to “The Question of Climate Change in this Year’s Election”
Suddenly I can’t hear the audio of your shows. ): ): ): I was able to very recently and can still download audio elsewhere. (Hopefully I’ll get a chance to play this on someone else’s computer system.)